Published: November 19, 2006

Rifleman celebrate Marine Corps' Birthday in war zones

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by Cpl. Ray Lewis

Even insurgents can't stop Marines here from celebrating their birthday.

Marines of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment celebrate their 231st Marine Corps' birthday at Observation Post 606, Iraq. The troops and other Marines with the battalion celebrated their Corps' history and traditions with food, cake and drinks despite their ongoing combat operations. All the Marines serve under Regiment Combat Team 5 and will be conducting operations for the next several months. (photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis)

Marines of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment had their 231st Marine Corps' Birthday celebration at Camp Habbaniyah, patrol bases and surrounding combat outposts Nov. 10-12 despite their ongoing combat operations.

"I think it says a lot about the Marine Corps because even though we're not in the United States, we keep our traditions because we were able to take time out of our busy schedules to carry on the traditions that some Marines might take for granted," said Lance Cpl. Evan Y. Van Nostrand, a rifleman with I Company.

The 19 year old from Smithtown, N.Y., and others are dedicated to continuing the long tradition started Nov. 10, 1775 and formalized by Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune by Marine Corps Order No. 47 in 1921.

Although the ceremony here was nothing like the formal Marine Corps birthday balls held back at Marine bases, Marines and sailors did follow the same historic traditions as the best infantrymen could.

Marines attended a ceremony at the Camp Habbaniyah chow hall that included birthday messages from Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee, Maj. Gen. Lejeune, Lt. Col. Todd S. Desgrosseilliers, the battalion's commander, a cake-cutting and cake tasting with the youngest and oldest Marine present.

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