U.S. Marine Corps Celebrates 234th Birthday

PALM SPRINGS – “Where as November 10th 1775, the 2nd Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that 2 battalions of Marines be raised to serve as landing forces for the fleet.”

At the Palm Springs USOCenter, MayorSteve Pougnet with a little background on how the U.S. MarineCorps was formed as he read a city proclamation to celebrate the Corps 234th birthday. And of course you can’t throw a birthday party without cake.It’s Marine tradition, the oldest Marine in the room gets the first taste. That meant 41 year old Staff Sgt. Kevin Brophy had to step up the plate. “Definitely a first time, always been able to dodge out of it with Sgt. Majors around, definitely a surprise for me.The cake is great, but then again I can never complain about cake.

Besides the cake, it was chance to eat up the Corps’ history that began during the Revolutionary War. Something 18 year old Lance Corporal Angel Almendares doesn’t take lightly.”People were dying 234 years ago fighting for our freedom that’s something Ifelt I needed to give back to everybody. The same freedom I received growing up.”

Then the matter of the Marine motto that has held up over time. The few,the proud resonates as loud today as did in the beginning. Just ask Staff Sgt. Brophy.”We do a lot with a little going thru history, througholder Marines I grew up with, we had very little to work with, but it seems we get a lot done with what we have andits just a big brotherhood.”