Photo By Sgt. Mariah Best | Marine Col. Mario Roman, Regional Command (South West) Liaison Officer to Regional...... read more read more
Subscribe
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Even thousands of miles from home, U.S. Marines here at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, still found a way to celebrate their 238th Birthday Nov. 9, 2013.
Active duty and retired Marines gathered at the festivities tent to continue the long-standing tradition of hosting an annual “Birthday Ball.”
Celebrations started with a ceremony highlighting the guest of honor, distinguished visitors and a video message from Gen. James F. Amos, the commandant of the Marine Corps.
Dinner was served following the cutting of a traditional birthday cake, and the night ended with a showing of “Captain Phillips,” a movie still in theaters in the United States.
Marine Colonel Mario Roman, Regional Command (Southwest) liaison officer to RC (South), collaborated with Exchange New Car Sales to make the event happen.
“We were able to donate $1,000,” Alan Falsey, regional manager of ENCS, said. “That all went into the table cloths, banners, decorations and the coins.”
Falsey said ENCS donates around $12,000 each month to help fund events at KAF.
“Some of it goes to the Moral, Welfare and Recreation centers, some goes to the United Services Organization, and some goes to different unit events taking place that month,” he added.
Falsey and Roman met at a MRW event at which Roman was a guest speaker. That is when ideas starting flowing and the idea of having an actual ball, instead of just a small gathering started to become a reality.
“It initially was just going to be all the active duty Marines on KAF over for a barbeque, but then as the word got out we started to find out that there were a bunch of Marine retirees and Fleet Marine Force corpsmen here that wanted to come,” Roman said. “I sent out an (email to everyone on KAF) and the response we got was overwhelming.”
What started as a celebration for 26, soon turned into a celebration for almost 100.
“It is great for us to see these things come together,” Falsey said. “We try to challenge ourselves and make things a little bit different each time, make things a little bit more special. We love doing it.”
Roman was gracious for the support he and his fellow Marines have gotten here on KAF.
“It really means a lot to have everyone here, it shows me that people care and that they are willing to support us even though there are only a few of us here,” Roman said. “We are treated as one, all of the same fighting force.”
To show appreciation for all the active duty Marines who attended, and for the individuals who helped facilitate the evening’s events, each received a special 238th Marine Corps Birthday coin.
Marine Sgt. Nicholas R. Garcia, II Marine Expeditionary Force, airfield liaison element non-commissioned officer in charge, was responsible for planning and coordinating the logistics portions of the ball.
“For being here in Kandahar, this is as accurate as birthday balls in the states would be, aside from location and dress,” Garcia said.
He went on to talk about how important the celebration is to Marines.
“The Marine Corps thrives on tradition,” Garcia said. “The commandant of the Marine Corps said it best when he said, ‘Marines are going to celebrate their birthday in groups big and small regardless of where they are.’”
Marine Sergeant David Warner, administration NCO for 4th Infantry Division intelligence office, said it was “an honor to be here to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday.”
“It’s all about Marines coming together, and there is no better place than here in a combat zone,” Warner said.
As with all Marine Corps birthday protocol, a fallen comrade’s table was delicately placed at the front of the room, to serve as a memorial and a reminder for those who couldn’t physically be in attendance.
“In my opinion, the prisoner-of -war, killed-in-action, missing-in-action table is the best part of the ceremony. It honors those Marines who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Warner said.
Guest speaker, Senior Airman Justin S. Carr, a former Marine who is currently the Command Kandahar Airfield, frontline security manager, elaborated on the honor and tradition present throughout the celebration.
“For me to even be invited and then to be the guest of honor, especially now as an Airman, is huge,” Carr said.
Carr was thankful Roman asked him to speak at such a prestigious event.
“I wear an Air Force uniform but having Col. Roman ask me to speak really shows that ‘Once a Marine, always a Marine,’” Carr said.
Amos recognized the hardships and successes all Marine’s have faced over the years in his video message but conveyed the “Semper Fidelis” motto of “Always Faithful.”
“Throughout history, Marines have faced tough times and there will be tough times ahead,” Amos said. “There is no challenge we cannot overcome if we remain honorable and always faithful in our Nation, Constitution and each other.”
| Date Taken: | 11.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2013 09:41 |
| Story ID: | 116865 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 572 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marines celebrate 238th Birthday at Kandahar Airfield, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
