Spam Cake

Today is November 11^th. An ordinary day for most people.

In 1918, on the 11^th hour of this 11^th day of the 11^th month, the Germans officially surrendered, ending major combat operations in World War I. Subsequent acts of Congress made November 11^th, Armistice Day, a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace. In 1953, a shoe store owner in Kansas felt the day should honor all Veterans. Through his connections with the local Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Education, he convinced other business owners and schools to close their doors in his small town to honor Veterans.  The idea caught on.

A special event occurred on base today in honor of military members past and present, especially those serving around the world and in danger.

A special event was held on November 10^th as well. The 235^th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

The Marines typically put up with a lot of crap. For one, their budgets are usually lower than the other services, so they are forced to do more with less. They are teased for being a component of the U.S. Navy, and they’re not too happy about it. They have a reputation of being gritty, and willing to work and live in the sparsest of environments.  When one of them mentioned during the staff huddle that the kitchen wouldn’t bake them a cake for the event, the Army Colonels told them to just put icing on the Spam they eat so much.  There are not many Marines at my base (about 5% of base population).

But hand it to the Marines, because they don’t do anything half-assed.

The Air Force and Navy birthday celebrations were pretty predictable. All base personnel stood around the flag pole. A few speeches were made, the national anthem sung by whomever was the best singer from that service, and a recording of their fight song was played. Their events lasted 20 to 30 minutes each.

The Army Band
(photo courtesy D. DeLeon)

The Marines – they had a band. An Army band. How the Marines were able to get an Army band to play for them at their event is beyond me.  The band played background music while events were getting set up, they played the national anthem, and they played the Marines hymm. The band was choreographed to the motions of the Marines during the event. Live music on base is almost as rare as hot water for the showers.

Although in the morning there were two Marines mopping the platform under the flags (yes, they were mopping stone outdoors), we did not stand around the flag pole. That would be too basic. We were informed in advance exactly where we were to be positioned, along the main walkway in the courtyard.  And the Marines brought in a color guard to present the flags.  

USMC Color Guard
(photo courtesy: D. DeLeon)

March through formation
(photo courtesy: D. DeLeon)

The event was timed out precisely. Each Marine executed the exact same movement at the exact same time.  A video montage was presented. And a 2-Star General made an appearance to speak about what it means to be a Marine. The tradition, integrity and sacrifice that accompanies the uniform.  A cake that some Marines were able to obtain from another base was marched in.

After the cake was cut, it is Marine tradition to have the oldest Marine and youngest Marine take the first bites. The oldest, a Colonel, was born in 1956. The youngest was born in 1990. He would have been 10 or 11 years old when September 11^th occurred, and probably in the 5^th grade.

Youngest and oldest Marine
(photo courtesy: D. DeLeon)

The Marines make up 10% of the fighting force in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet they make up 25% of the casualties. They are the front lines. They clear the paths that others take. Ned Dolan is attributed the quote:

"Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share."

Semper Fi.

The Few, The Proud
(photo courtesy: D. DeLeon)