Photo By Joseph Schmitt | Commander, Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific Maj. Marc Foster and honorary...... read more read more
By Greg Mitchell
FLEACT, Yokosuka Public Affairs
YOKOSUKA, Japan - More than 150 service members, friends and families came together to celebrate 237 years of service at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Yokosuka Mercure Hotel, Nov 14.
The celebration started off with a special video presentation entitled the “Commandants Birthday Message,” which honored those who have had the opportunity to distinguish themselves as “Devil Dogs.”
After a presentation of an honorary table for fallen comrades by Sgt. Gerald Wendel, Commander, Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific Maj. Marc Foster provided opening remarks.
Following Foster was honorary guest retired 1st Sgt. David W. Grinstead, Nile C. Kinnick High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps naval science instructor.
“I am honored to be here this evening to celebrate this milestone in our beloved Corps history,” said Grinstead. “As a Marine first sergeant in 2005 and 2006 I had the great fortune to lead Marines in combat, to live with them, to fight alongside them, to teach them and to learn from them. I believe that one of the most important things I learned is the meaning of the word, ‘Marine.’ So, although I feel somewhat ‘under-ranked’ to be your speaker this evening, I do feel fully qualified to try to define the term, ‘Marine.’
“What is a Marine? We know our motto is ‘Semper Fidelis,’ always faithful. We have heard the phrase ‘Once a Marine, Always a Marine.’ I can attest to the truth of that phrase because I was once a Marine, I am today a Marine, and I will always be a Marine. We have heard the phrase, ‘Esprit d’ Corps,’ which suggests that there is a ‘spirit’ in our Corps that sets us apart. There is, and it does.”
Following Grinstead’s speech, the traditional cake cutting ceremony was conducted where the first slice was given to Grinstead as the guest of honor, then to the oldest Marine present, retired Col. Michael E. Williams, whose last command was assistant deputy commanding general for III Marine Expeditionary Force, and youngest Pfc. Glen R. Douglas, who currently serves with FAST PAC.
Grinstead ended his speech with an inspiring quote from the late Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady to the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
“In closing, I would like to share a quote from a somewhat unlikely source, from someone who seems to have known and appreciated our family of Marines more than most. She is none other than Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1945, Mrs. Roosevelt said, ‘The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you, happy birthday and Semper Fidelis Marines.’”
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2012 03:08 |
| Story ID: | 99462 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 414 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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