The San Diego Council of the United States Navy League brought together more than 100 Marines and sailors from Marine Corps Installations West to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ 234th Birthday at the Sheraton Hotel and Marina Nov. 4.
They hosted a luncheon to recognize the Reservist, Drill Instructor, Marine Recruiter, Aviation Marine and Hospital Corpsmen of the Year, and featured the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Col. Frank A. Richie as a guest speaker.
The recipients of honor included Sgts. Jerame Taylor, Bryan Robbins and Edward Erdmann, Cpl. Charles Miller and Petty Officer 2nd Class Marga Gabriel who the Navy League selected for their dedication to duty.
The MCAS Miramar Color Guard and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band’s Brass Quintet also attended.
The event began with a social hour for the Marines and sailors. The quintet played several songs in the introduction period and afterward the guests seated themselves at assigned tables to encourage interaction between different units and organizations.
“You work with the same people all the time so it’s nice to hear new stories,” said Lance Cpl. Danielle Graves, a flight planner with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Miramar, MCI West. “You get more knowledge about the Marine Corps talking to new people at these luncheons.”
After the ceremony began, the color guard marched on the colors and Father Victor Krulak Jr., a retired Navy commander, then gave an invocation before the color guard retired the colors.
Richie followed with a brief speech about the history of the Marine Corps and recognized all the Marines seated in the room. After Richie’s speech, the Navy League presented a certificate, plaque and $200 cash gift to each recipient.
“The Navy League thanks all you veterans out there who came to support today,” said San Diego’s Navy League president Hugh Butt in closing remarks. “It’s a special day for the Marine Corps. Semper Fi.”
After the closing remarks, the crowd rose to make a toast with rum punch. Richie made the final toast with a few words. “Long live the United States and success to our Corps.”
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