Lajes Field: Semper Fi and Happy Birthday

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. George Tobias
  • 65th ABW Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  It's been 83 years since the first Marine Corps Birthday Ball held in Philadelphia, and the first in recent memory to be held at Lajes Field. Not many Air Force bases would have a reason to formally celebrate a sister service's birthday, but Lajes played host to a Marine Corps Ball Sunday. 

Marines from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, who were passing through Lajes on their way back from the Middle East, celebrated the Marines' 233rd birthday a little early at the Lajes Top of the Rock Club, courtesy of the 65th Air Base Wing. 

The club's ballroom was decorated in the Marine Corps colors of scarlet and gold. The Marines attending what they thought would be a small commemoration, were surprised with the amount of support they received. Sgt. Maj. Blain Jackson, 2nd MAW, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), who worked to organize the event, joked they had originally planned for a small celebration, with nothing fancy. 

Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, Commander, Ground Combat Element, II MEF (Fwd), said many Marines are celebrating in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. "It is a great privilege to be here at Lajes," he said. "We appreciate the support of the base in helping us celebrate the Marine Corps' birthday." 

"It's one team, one fight," said Col. Peggy Poore, 65th ABW commander. "Anything we can do to help our sister services is an honor." 

Besides having Marines present for the anniversary of the creation of the Corps, Colonel Poore also has a reason to observe the event. As she put it, she was a Marine brat--her father a retired Colonel in the Marine Corps. She grew up experiencing Marine traditions and said this celebration reconnects her to her roots. 

During the ceremony, the Marines present were reminded of the importance of the heritage of the Corps during the reading of Marine Corps Order No. 47, issued in 1921 by General John A. Lejeune. The order provides a summary of the history, mission, and traditions of the Corps and has been read every year on Nov. 10 since 1921 in honor of the founding of the Marine Corps. 

"It is important to remember who we are and our history," said Brig. Gen. Robert Walsh, 2nd MAW assistant commander. 

The Marine Corps was originally founded on Nov. 10, 1775 and was composed of infantrymen to service on Continental Naval ships. Their main mission was to provide security for the ship, which included protecting the ship's officers in the event of a mutiny, and serve as the ship's attack force when hand to hand combat was required. 

Today, the Marine Corps is an amphibious expeditionary force with a long and proud history.