More than two-dozen Boothbay region Marine veterans celebrated the 234th birthday of the U.S. Marines Tuesday with a special tribute to a young woman marine who is heading to Iraq.
Vietnam vet Jim Singer held a photo of Lance Corporal Elizabeth Butler for the gathering and presented her cousin Larry Brown with a piece of the birthday cake.
“Keep it for her with our best wishes. Save it and serve it at the party celebrating her return from being in harm’s way,” Singer said.
In keeping with Marine tradition, the Corps’ birthday cake was cut with a sword. The first piece was presented to the youngest Marine present, Michael Cusumano, 28, and the second piece was given to John Druce, 87.
Singer read the birthday greeting from the Marine Commandant, Gen. James T. Conway, praising the young American men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“They represent the best young men and women our Nation has to offer…We celebrate the magnificent men and women who willingly and selflessly continue to go into harm’s way to protect this great Nation,” Conway said.
Before the cake was cut, Singer and other marines prayed for the safe return of all American servicemen and women.
The Marine Corps was founded Nov. 10, 1775 in Tun’s Tavern in Philadelphia, Penn.
