BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
They may work for different parts of the Defense Logistics Agency now, but most of the attendees at the Nov. 5 ceremony in the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center’s Palm Garden Room all shared the same title – Marine.
They assembled to celebrate the Marine Corps 244th birthday with a cake and the usual traditions. Among those traditions was to remember Marine Corps Order 47 from 1921. In the order from the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. John Lejeune, was a message of remembrance and tribute to recognize the historical contributions of the Corps. DLA Disposition Services’ employee Sunshine Cook read Lejeune’s original message to the audience.
The Marine Corps has continued that legacy by publishing a new message of inspiration and motivation for the troops each year during the birthday event. The 2019 message included a video paying homage to the Marines’ legacy with short interviews with veterans.
“We also work together in DLA supporting the troops,” said DLA Disposition Service Director Mike Cannon. “You all, even though some of you are no longer in uniform, continue to support Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen around the world with what you do.”
Cannon continued by providing an example of DLA Disposition Services providing support with the Marine divestiture efforts in Albany. DLA was able to get rid of 200 pieces of rolling stock this year and about 5.4 million pieces of excess enabling the Marines to free up space and cash from storage to support the Marine Corps readiness. He concluded with a quote from Ronald Regan stating that ‘some people will wonder if they ever made a difference,’ adding that Marines don’t have that problem.
Following tradition, the youngest and oldest Marines in attendance along with the guest of honor received the first pieces of the birthday cake. As custom, the cake was sliced using a Marine sword. During his remarks, Cannon shared a personal memory from his days as an Air Force officer in Kuwait where he watched Marines celebrate with cupcakes from the field exchange because that was all they had available.
Happy Birthday Marines, Semper Fi!