Pagosa-area Marines and guests gathered Sunday, Nov. 10, at Boss Hogg’s Restaurant to celebrate the 249th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Retired Maj. Don MacNamee cut the birthday cake with his ceremonial sword.
The first piece of cake was given to Ernie Garcia, the oldest Marine present, who was born in 1935 and entered the Marine Corps in 1952.
Traditionally, Garcia passed that piece to the youngest Marine present, Alec Kinser, who was born in 1994 and joined the Marines in 2011.
The act signifies the passing of experience and knowledge from the old to the new, along with the obligation to uphold the honor, duty, history and lore of the Marine Corps in the highest standards.
