Happy Birthday United States Marine Corps!

The Marines landed in Johannesburg last year and along with them came a noble tradition. Hosting a big party to celebrate the birthday of the Corps along with Marine Corps detachments all around the globe. I had never been to a Marine Corps Birthday Ball before and neither had Vince. Even though Vince's father, brother, nephew and many other friends and relatives are Marines, we never really thought about it. But now that our son Nick is a Marine, we wanted to go!

Montecasino Ballroom in Johannesburg, SA

Turns out we picked a good year for it. Prior to last year, there was only one local Marine Security Guard Detachment in Gauteng and they were assigned to the American Embassy in Pretoria. But last November the American Consulate in Johannesburg - actually located in Sandton - was also assigned its own security detachment of Marines.






The Marine Corps has a long history of cooperation with the Department of State going back to the early days of the nation.  Following World War II, intelligence activities worldwide led to an increased need of around the clock protection of U.S. Diplomatic Missions by reliable American personnel. In 1946, the Foreign Service Act was passed which states that the Secretary of the Navy is authorized, upon request of the Secretary of State, to assign enlisted Marines to serve as custodians under the supervision of the senior diplomatic officer at embassies, legations or consulates. Almost 60 years later, Marine Security Guards stand watch at over 140 Diplomatic Posts worldwide.

The United States Marine Corps traces its roots to the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War. It was formed at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under a resolution of the Continental Congress on November 10, 1775. 

Prior to 1921, Marines celebrated the recreation of the Corps on July 11 with little pomp or pageantry. On October 21, 1921, Major Edwin North McClennan, in charge the Corps's fledgling historical section, sent a memorandum to Commander John A. Lejeune, suggesting the Marines’ original birthday of 10 November be declared a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated throughout the Corps. Lejeune so ordered in Marine Corps Order 47. The first formal ball was celebrated in 1925 and in 1952, the celebrations were formalized and standardized by Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.

memorial place setting

Last night the combined  Marine detachments of Pretoria and Johannesburg celebrated the Marine Corps's 239th birthday together here in Johannesburg. It was very special as this was the first year that Johannesburg played host to a formal Marine Corps Birthday Ball. In prior years, the Gauteng Ball was always held in Pretoria.

The venue was the ballroom at Montecasino and the dress was military formal dress (and black tie for the civilians.) The ballroom was resplendent, decorated with red, white, and blue curtains draping the walls, silver bowls of red roses on the table and silver candelabras as centerpieces. And at the entrance to the ballroom, a table set with an overturned place setting on a black tablecloth, a single unlit black taper, dog tags and a Purple Heart to represent those Marines who have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country.

 greeted by Marines and a welcome cocktail

We were advised by our Consulate friends to get there on time so that we did not miss the Birthday Ball Ceremony. And we listened.

reading of the Marine Corps Order 47

The ceremony began with the a prayer and the reading of aforementioned Marine Corps Order 47, republished every year, as well as a message from the current Commandant. We listened to birthday messages read from Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

Consul General Christopher Rowan

The Commandant's message came via a short film about the Marine Corps. Very moving as many of the Marines interviewed in the film were veterans of the Battle of Peleliu in which Vince's Dad also fought.

Next we were addressed by the Guest of Honor, Catherine Hill-Herndon, the Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Pretoria, and the Guest Speaker, Christopher Rowan, Consul General, American Consulate Johannesburg and a retired USMC Colonel.

birthday cake

C.G. Rowan also has the honor of being the "oldest Marine" at the Ball. This became very important during the cake-cutting part of the celebration  By tradition, the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, who in turn hands it off to the youngest Marine present, symbolizing the old and experienced Marines passing their knowledge to the new generation of Marines. The youngest Marine present was Corporal Kevin A. Williams.

presenting the Colors

The Colors were presented, the National Anthem and the Marines Hymn were played. Finally, the Cake was presented - and cut with a ceremonial mameluke sword - and the guests of honor were presented with gifts.

Jim, Marguerite and Vince

And after closing remarks. ... dining, music and dancing!

Matthew in his formal dress kilt

It was our first time at the Birthday Ball!

And at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA, USA

My son Nick also celebrated at a Marine Corps Birthday Ball held last night in Monterey, California where he is stationed. We texted him a "Happy Birthday, Marine!" message after we came home from our Ball to which he replied, "The Ball is great and afterwards we are going out on the town in our dress blues. Oorah." Now that's the way to celebrate a birthday!

Happy Birthday United States Marine Corps!