Every year on the 10th of November, Marines around the world celebrate the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, and here in Boothbay Harbor we continue that tradition!

On Thursday, 14 Marines who served over the past 65 years gathered for a luncheon at Brady’s restaurant. Old friends got together with new ones, and it was like we had known each other forever as we shared stories of our past on active duty. After a delicious lunch with great service, Vietnam veteran Joe Gelarden read the annual birthday message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, which focused not only on the past but also on the future.

A tradition that is a highlight of each birthday is the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake. Boothbay Harbor Hannaford generously donated the beautiful confection. The oldest Marine present, John Webster, along with the youngest Marine present, Jack Sherman, together cut the cake using either a Marine NCO sword or an officer’s Mameluke sword. Webster, as the senior Marine got the first piece, Sherman the second and the rest of the cake was shared among the remaining Marines. At the end, a group picture was taken, we said our farewells, and wished each other a hearty “Semper Fidelis”-Always Faithful- until next year!