The ship's bells rang marking the time of 10:30 a.m. aboard the USS Kearsarge and the much awaited ceremony commenced.

The weather was as beautiful as the sharp looking formations of Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) standing at attention on the flight deck. Sailors and Marines had gathered topside to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday of 240 years.

The event opened and was narrated by Staff Sgt. Raul Rojas, the embarked Battalion Landing Team's (BLT) career planner, who then introduced the 26th MEU's chaplain, Cmdr. Lynn Christensen. After a fine invocation, four sharp Marines paraded the colors to the center of the flight deck in the middle of the formations. The American and Marine Corps flags waved proudly as the national anthem played. It's moments like this that fill you with pride and appreciation when we take time to appreciate our heritage and tradition especially on an amphibious assault ship operating forward during deployment.

Once the colors were posted, the Marine Corps birthday cake was escorted to the center in professional fashion to the sounds of the Marine Corps Hymn. "Detail halt. Post!" was commanded by the senior cake escort. The Marine Corps birthday cake escorting detail includes the youngest and oldest Marines embarked. Master Gunnery Sgt. Rodney Abbot represented the oldest Marine at the age of 47 and Lance Cpl. William Savoy III represented the youngest Marine who will turn 19...next November.

"It is customary at Marine Corps birthday celebrations worldwide for Marines to cut a traditional cake in commemoration of the birth of the Marine Corps." said Rojas. "The first piece was given to the guest of honor, Capt. Augustus P. Bennett, commodore of Amphibious Squadron FOUR. The next piece is given to the oldest and youngest Marines symbolizing the experience and the youthful spirit that all hallmarks of the Marine Corps."

After the cake cutting and tasting of the cake, the Commanding Officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Col. Robert C. Fulford addressed the distinguished guest and his Marines on the flight deck.

"The 13th Commandant's message discusses the spirit or 'core of our Corps' and the indomitable traits that define Marines," said Fulford. "I'd like to add onto that ... the unity of the Marine Corps and the United States Navy. We share a common heritage, common purpose and we provide our nation a capability that is unmatched anywhere else in the world. There is no better place to be than deployed on a U.S. Navy ship prepared to do whatever our nation tells us."

Fulford then introduced the ceremony's guest of honor, Commodore Bennett, who gave his remarks for the celebration of over 1200 embarked Marines aboard Kearsarge in attendance.

"I am honored and humbled as I stand with you celebrating 240 years of the United States Marine Corps answering the call." said Bennett. "240 years of unmatched discipline, pride in personal appearance, exceptional marksmanship, and most importantly loyalty. Traditions rooted by dedication to duty and self-sacrifice. The Maine Corps legacy launched the world's greatest expeditionary force we have today."

Upon the completion of the commodore's remarks, the ceremony concluded and the colors were retired. I realized that this was the first Marine Corps birthday celebration for many Marines there that day. The history and tradition displayed here today would not soon be forgotten.

The Kearsarge is the flagship ship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) comprised of Kearsarge, the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

For more news from Expeditionary Strike Group 2, visit http://www.navy.mil/.