The Marine Corps: 241 Year Legacy Continues

Article & photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Kirby

JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

The Marine Corps Security Forces Company of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Joint Task Force Guantanamo Troopers celebrated the 241st Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Nov. 12 on U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba at the Morale, Welfare & Recreation Windjammer ballroom.

“We are celebrating the night at the Marine Corps Ball,” said MCSFCO’s senior enlisted leader, U.S. Marine 1st Sgt. Joyuanki Victore. “This is a tradition that dates all the way back to the birth of the Marine Corps in 1775. We honor tradition like this and every year we try to make it better. Being here for the ball is such a great experience because all five branches are here and can come out and celebrate with us; we are such a small company and its nice being with so many other troops regardless of our service branch.”

Many of those attending the 241st Marine Corps Birthday Ball were JTF GTMO Troopers.

“I really enjoy attending events like these,” said U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Craig Whitaker. “It’s fun to celebrate with fellow brothers and sisters in arms and it breaks up the monotony.”

All five service branches maintain a presence here to support all missions currently going on at NSGB.

“None of this would be possible without not only my Marines but help and support from other operations on base,” said Victore. “Its great Joint Task Force Guantanamo Troopers were able to attend. It gave us a chance to share with them who we are and what we do. Usually our balls are only dedicated to Marines and their spouses, so allowing everyone a chance to attend opens up a friendship and a bond with other services.”

In a message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, he paid respect to all who have served and takes pride in the legacy of fine men and women who carry the United States colors today, but most notably noting his Marines.

“Whether you served on the hallowed grounds of Belleau Wood, fought on the iconic island battlefields of World War II, navigated the harsh terrain and climate of the Chosin Reservoir or Vietnam, everyone who wears the eagle, globe and anchor is a member of that storied legacy.”

The guest of honor for the ball was U.S. Navy Chaplain Lt. Mike Wise who gave a moving speech re-emphasizing the same amount of pride invested in the Marine Corps legacy.

“I am surrounded right now by gate keepers,” said Wise. “I am surrounded by a group of people whose motto is to be always faithful and if there was ever a time in world history that our world needed the Marine Corps to be always faithful; today is that day.”

MCFSCO’s mission is to secure the base’s perimeter. Marine outpost towers are staged along the fence line including exterior portions of the shoreline perimeter.

“To those Marines who stand on the wall, I thank you,” continued Wise. “I thank you for the safety of my family, and they will sleep well tonight because all over the world there are Marines standing on some forsaken wall. On behalf of your grateful nation, who would not be as great as she is if it weren’t for you, I thank you for the blood and sweat you put in time and again so we can sleep peaceful at night. I want to remind you young Marines in this room right now that you are one of this country’s most valuable possessions, the most treasured possession that we have are our young men and women who are willing to die for their country.”