MARFORCOM 239th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

58-year-old Col. James P. Rethwisch, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM) assistant chief of staff for G-1, takes a bite of a piece of birthday cake as the oldest Marine present for the ball after receiving it from Lt. Gen. Robert B. Neller, MARFORCOM commander, at the MARFORCOM 239th Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Nov. 8, 2014, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. It is customary at Marine Corps birthday celebrations worldwide for Marines to cut a traditional cake in celebration of the birth of the Marine Corps on Nov. 10, 1775. The first piece of cake is given to the guest of honor, and the next piece is given to the oldest and youngest Marines present in the command to symbolize the passing of history and tradition to the next generation, as well as the experience and the youthful spirit that are hallmarks of the Marine Corps. The youngest Marine present was 19-year-old Pfc. James J. Gorman (left of Rethwisch), a brig guard with the Navy Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake, Va. Visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/marforcom/sets/72157648871588429/ for additional photos.

141108-M-JL266-237.JPG Photo By: Steve Kotecki

Nov 14, 2014

58-year-old Col. James P. Rethwisch, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM) assistant chief of staff for G-1, takes a bite of a piece of birthday cake as the oldest Marine present for the ball after receiving it from Lt. Gen. Robert B. Neller, MARFORCOM commander, at the MARFORCOM 239th Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Nov. 8, 2014, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. It is customary at Marine Corps birthday celebrations worldwide for Marines to cut a traditional cake in celebration of the birth of the Marine Corps on Nov. 10, 1775. The first piece of cake is given to the guest of honor, and the next piece is given to the oldest and youngest Marines present in the command to symbolize the passing of history and tradition to the next generation, as well as the experience and the youthful spirit that are hallmarks of the Marine Corps. The youngest Marine present was 19-year-old Pfc. James J. Gorman (left of Rethwisch), a brig guard with the Navy Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake, Va. Visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/marforcom/sets/72157648871588429/ for additional photos.

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