RICHMOND, Virginia –
Employees from around Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia gathered in the Frank B. Lotts Conference Center Nov. 10 to celebrate the 240th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. They were joined by the inspector-instructor staff of Hotel Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division.
The event included the republishing of Article 38, originally published by the 13th commandant of the Marine Corps, highlighting that the “men of our nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served…since the founding of our corps.”
The current commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert Neller, wished those present a Happy Birthday by video message, reminding all Marines of their legacy, of those who served in the past.
Guest Speaker U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Major Daniel O’Brien then took the podium to speak of his service in more current deployments such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
O’Brien said he was deployed on Day 1 of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and amazed to see, for the first time, an entire Marine Expeditionary Force in action, with approximately 21 aircraft in the skies on Day 1 and for the subsequent 21 days.
He said he saw the same level of support when he was deployed to Afghanistan. “We were able do our missions, even in that harsh environment, because our aircraft maintenance squadrons never told us no,” he said. “And they could say this because no one ever told them no, all the way back up the supply chain, to people like you, to DLA Aviation employees. Thank you for what you do.”
The ceremony concluded with the traditional cutting and serving of the birthday cake, with the first piece being served to O’Brien, as the guest of honor, the second to the oldest Marine present, retired Pfc. Bill Gayle, who is currently working at DLA Aviation as a quality assurance specialist, who in turn passed it to the youngest Marine present, Sgt. Taylor Abney, who is assigned to Hotel Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division as their ordnance chief.