Marines observe birthday
Albany area Marines celebrate the Corps’ 233rd birthday.
RICKI BARKER ricki.barker@albanyherald.com

ALBANY — The storied history of the U.S. Marine Corps passed in front of the eyes of celebrants Monday night as Albany area Marines observed the Corps’ 233rd birthday.

At the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball conducted at the the Hilton Garden Inn, celebrants watched as Marines paid tribute to their history with a uniform pageant, a living display of Marine Corps history, and the traditional cake cutting.

Maj. Gen. Willie J. Williams, commanding general, LOGCOM, was the host for the evening, which included a birthday video message from Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway and U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent. Amid the celebration, the video was a sober reminder of the challenges that Marines face against during times of war. It began with a 25-year retrospective of the October 1983 bombing of a Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. The seven-minute video then touched on attacks against American troops and civilians, such as the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, the 2000 USS Cole bombing in Yemen and the Sept. 11 attacks.

“Standing between our great nation and its ruthless enemy are young Americans with courage and conviction — United States Marines,” Conway said in the video. “We are accustomed to rough terrain and even tougher conditions. We have learned to live hard and fight well.”

Following tradition, the Marines celebrated next with the cutting of the cake. The first piece was presented to the guest of honor, Gen. James F. Amos, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps. The next went to the oldest Marine present, Capt. David Laughlin, and a piece was passed to the youngest Marine present, Warrant Officer Ricardo Rivera.

After the cutting of the cake, Williams introduced Amos, who has served in many tours of duty and has been decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Bronze Star, as well as numerous campaign and service awards.

The assistant commandant told the guests that he had been approached by many Marine veterans.

“They always ask me the same question, ‘Do you still make them like you used to?’ ” Amos said.

Amos then recounted the touching story of two brave Marines who fought in Afghanistan and who were killed in performing their duties. The major general said those two Marines symbolized Marine Corps values.

Amos then assured the crowd gathered that even 233 years later, the Marine Corps does still make them like they used to.

Ellie