thedrifter
10-27-05, 07:53 AM
Villager plans traditional celebration for Marines Corps' 230th birthday
By JASON MARTIN, DAILY SUN
THE VILLAGES - The U.S. Marine Corps celebrates its 230th birthday Nov. 10, 2005, and Villager Jack Maiz is having a party.
“It will be a chance for Marines to be with Marines on the Marines' birthday,” he said. “It's an opportunity to rekindle the brotherhood.”
Ron Zaparino, a former Marine helicopter pilot, has hosted a gathering at his La Jolla, Calif. restaurant, Top of the Cove, every Nov. 10 for the past 15 years. Maiz attended the event for more than 10 years and wants his celebration to resemble Zaparino's, which was an exclusive event intended only for those who served as Marines or corpsmen.
Marines of both genders and all ranks and ages congregate each year to share memories, hear the commandant's' birthday message, eat cake and drink beer in an informal setting.
“I'm trying to recreate what I've been to in San Diego,” Maiz said. “This is our first go at it, and we're hoping to create a tradition that continues every year.”
Maiz reserved a ballroom at the Hibiscus Recreation Center from 3 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 10. The ballroom accommodates as many as 100 people, and more than 30 people have already contacted Maiz about attending.
“I want to get all the Marines together,” he said. “It's just going to be Marines being Marines.”
Unless there is a guest of honor, the oldest Marine in attendance traditionally cuts the cake with a Mameluke sword - the Marine Corps' officer's sword - and eats the first piece. The oldest Marine gives the second piece to the youngest Marine in attendance, signifying the passing of tradition and knowledge.
“There's no such thing as an old Marine, just a Marine,” Maiz said.
The Continental Congress passed a resolution during the Revolutionary War creating the Continental Marines, which later became the U.S. Marine Corps. According to the Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, there are approximately 178,000 active Marines serving the country. The Marine Corps' strength peaked during World War II at 485,113.
“There is an unspoken camaraderie amongst Marines,” Maiz said. “It's a fraternity, a brotherhood. If you bump into a Marine you always say, ‘Semper Fi.' ”
Semper Fi is short for Semper Fidelis, which is Latin for “always faithful.” It has been the Marines' motto and part of their emblem since 1868. Maiz served with Marine Aircraft Group 36 during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968, but as Marines say, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
Nearly 87,000 Marines were killed or wounded during World War II, more than 25,000 were killed or wounded during the Korean War, and the Vietnam War took the lives of more than 13,000. There are 22 ranks that classify Marines - the lowest being “private” and the most distinguished being “general.” Maiz earned the rank of sergeant.
“We're always there to help each other out,” he said of his fellow Marines. “That's the uniqueness of it.”
Marine birthday celebrations are a long-standing tradition. The first formal birthday ball was in Philadelphia on Nov. 10, 1925. Each Nov. 10, Marines worldwide attend birthday celebrations or acknowledge the day in some way. Maiz recalled eating steak, cutting cake and drinking warm beer one Nov. 10 during his tour in Vietnam.
“This year, the current troops in Iraq will stand down and have their own celebration,” he said. “It reinforces the esprit d'corps and brotherhood of the Marines by being involved in one of our oldest traditions.”
Maiz will supply the cake and a keg of beer for this year's birthday celebration in The Villages, but guests are encouraged to bring their own beverages. All local Marines and corpsmen who served are invited. Those who would like to attend should call Jack Maiz at 259-7996, or e-mail him at jmaiz@aol.com.
“I want to bring about an awareness of the Marines Corps' birthday and reunite Marines and corpsmen who may not have participated in a celebration for many years,” Maiz said. “This is the first of what we hope will be many more gatherings and celebrations.”
Jason Martin is a writer for the Daily Sun. He can be reached at (352) 753-1119, ext. 9324, or jason.martin@thevillagesmedia.com.
Ellie
By JASON MARTIN, DAILY SUN
THE VILLAGES - The U.S. Marine Corps celebrates its 230th birthday Nov. 10, 2005, and Villager Jack Maiz is having a party.
“It will be a chance for Marines to be with Marines on the Marines' birthday,” he said. “It's an opportunity to rekindle the brotherhood.”
Ron Zaparino, a former Marine helicopter pilot, has hosted a gathering at his La Jolla, Calif. restaurant, Top of the Cove, every Nov. 10 for the past 15 years. Maiz attended the event for more than 10 years and wants his celebration to resemble Zaparino's, which was an exclusive event intended only for those who served as Marines or corpsmen.
Marines of both genders and all ranks and ages congregate each year to share memories, hear the commandant's' birthday message, eat cake and drink beer in an informal setting.
“I'm trying to recreate what I've been to in San Diego,” Maiz said. “This is our first go at it, and we're hoping to create a tradition that continues every year.”
Maiz reserved a ballroom at the Hibiscus Recreation Center from 3 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 10. The ballroom accommodates as many as 100 people, and more than 30 people have already contacted Maiz about attending.
“I want to get all the Marines together,” he said. “It's just going to be Marines being Marines.”
Unless there is a guest of honor, the oldest Marine in attendance traditionally cuts the cake with a Mameluke sword - the Marine Corps' officer's sword - and eats the first piece. The oldest Marine gives the second piece to the youngest Marine in attendance, signifying the passing of tradition and knowledge.
“There's no such thing as an old Marine, just a Marine,” Maiz said.
The Continental Congress passed a resolution during the Revolutionary War creating the Continental Marines, which later became the U.S. Marine Corps. According to the Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, there are approximately 178,000 active Marines serving the country. The Marine Corps' strength peaked during World War II at 485,113.
“There is an unspoken camaraderie amongst Marines,” Maiz said. “It's a fraternity, a brotherhood. If you bump into a Marine you always say, ‘Semper Fi.' ”
Semper Fi is short for Semper Fidelis, which is Latin for “always faithful.” It has been the Marines' motto and part of their emblem since 1868. Maiz served with Marine Aircraft Group 36 during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968, but as Marines say, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
Nearly 87,000 Marines were killed or wounded during World War II, more than 25,000 were killed or wounded during the Korean War, and the Vietnam War took the lives of more than 13,000. There are 22 ranks that classify Marines - the lowest being “private” and the most distinguished being “general.” Maiz earned the rank of sergeant.
“We're always there to help each other out,” he said of his fellow Marines. “That's the uniqueness of it.”
Marine birthday celebrations are a long-standing tradition. The first formal birthday ball was in Philadelphia on Nov. 10, 1925. Each Nov. 10, Marines worldwide attend birthday celebrations or acknowledge the day in some way. Maiz recalled eating steak, cutting cake and drinking warm beer one Nov. 10 during his tour in Vietnam.
“This year, the current troops in Iraq will stand down and have their own celebration,” he said. “It reinforces the esprit d'corps and brotherhood of the Marines by being involved in one of our oldest traditions.”
Maiz will supply the cake and a keg of beer for this year's birthday celebration in The Villages, but guests are encouraged to bring their own beverages. All local Marines and corpsmen who served are invited. Those who would like to attend should call Jack Maiz at 259-7996, or e-mail him at jmaiz@aol.com.
“I want to bring about an awareness of the Marines Corps' birthday and reunite Marines and corpsmen who may not have participated in a celebration for many years,” Maiz said. “This is the first of what we hope will be many more gatherings and celebrations.”
Jason Martin is a writer for the Daily Sun. He can be reached at (352) 753-1119, ext. 9324, or jason.martin@thevillagesmedia.com.
Ellie