Marine Aviation Detachment (MAD), commanding officer Col. Mark T. Johnson, presided over the celebration. Johnson asked the audience to remember their fellow Marines that are also celebrating the Marine Corps 236th birthday today, but in a forward-deployed unit in combat conditions. (U. S. Navy photo)
NAWCWD salutes the United States Marines on their 236th birthday
CHINA LAKE, Calif., –The United States Marine Corps celebrated 236 years of service to our nation on November 9, 2011. In honor of this occasion, the Marine Aviation Detachment, China Lake, conducted a special birthday presentation for the citizens of Ridgecrest. The public was invited to observe and participate in this special ceremony at the City of Ridgecrest’s Freedom Park.
MAD commanding officer Col. Mark T. Johnson, presided over the celebration with the assistance of his executive officer Lt. Col. Jim Coppersmith and a full attendance by the MAD detachment.
A solo bell sounded for each of the major military battles that the Marines participated in over the past 236 years including Iwo Jima, Tarawa, Khe Sanh, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Johnson asked the audience to remember their fellow Marines that are also celebrating the Marine Corps 236th birthday today, but in a forward-deployed unit in combat conditions.
Many citizens and a large body of school children from St. Ann school took the opportunity to join the celebration and thank service members and veterans for their service and sacrifice to our great nation.
Marines from the Marine Aviation Detachment (MAD), China Lake stand at ease before the special birthday presentation for the citizens of Ridgecrest. The public was invited to observe and participate in this special ceremony at the City of Ridgecrest’s Freedom Park. (U. S. Navy photo)
Members of the Marine Aviation Detachment bow in respect as a prayer is read at the beginning of the Marine birthday celebration. (U. S. Navy photo)
A color guard from the Marine Aviation Detachment, China Lake parades the colors at Marines 236th birthday celebration at the City of Ridgecrest’s Freedom Park. (U. S. Navy photo)
A solo bell sounded for each of the major military battles that the Marines participated in over the past 236 years including Iwo Jima, Tarawa, Khe Sanh, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. (U. S. Navy photo)
Left to right, Dolores Bork whose brother Private First Class Raymond Lutgring, USMC, was killed in Okinawa in 1945, stands beside Dale Goldstrand, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam era conflicts. (U. S. Navy photo)
MAD commanding officer Mark T. Johnson “cuts the cake” in honor of the Marines 236th birthday of serving our nation. (U. S. Navy photo)
Lt. Col. Jim Coppersmith is surrounded by a group of St. Ann school children following the special birthday celebration at the City of Ridgecrest’s Freedom Park, Nov. 9. (U. S. Navy photo)