ABOARD THE USS SAN ANTONIO — Secretary of State John Kerry spent the Marine Corps' 240th birthday aboard a ship where he paid tribute to the strong bond between the State Department and the Marines who stand guard at diplomatic posts worldwide.on Tuesday celebrated the Marine Corps' 240th birthday with about roughlythe amphibious transport dock San Antonio at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia
About 100 Marines were aboard the the amphibious transport dock San Antonio when Kerry made his stop at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.
"You've got traditions built up in those [240] years that are second to no fighting unit, no service in the world," he said. has traveled nearly 900,000 miles and visited 70 countries as the nation's chief ambassador. "Every one of those 70 countries has a compliment of United States Marines. ...We really couldn't do what we do anywhere in today's world without the safety you provide us, and the security and help you give at America's 275 outposts around the world."
The Marine Corps' role in protecting embassies and other diplomatic posts was thrust into the spotlight following the deadly 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead. Since then, the Marine Corps has been working on filling a mandate from Congress to create 1,000 new Marine security guards to stand post at State Department facilities around the world. They've also stood up brand new land-based units designed to respond quickly in the event of a security concerns or attacks at an embassy.
Marine Brig. Gen. (select) Bradford Gering, head commander of Marine Corps Forces Command out of Norfolk, used the birthday celebration here to salute one of the Corps' other strong bonds: that with e "inseparable bond" shared with the Navy.
"When called upon, we fight," he said. "And when we fight, we fight as one, bringing a level of lethality, agility, and decisiveness to the battle space that no adversary in the world can equal. It is therefore no mistake that on the 240th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, we find ourselves assembled on the USS San Antonio ... a powerful ambassador for the United States in combat and peace."
In keeping with tradition, the oldest and youngest Marines aboard the ship were singled out during the ceremony.
Secretary of State John Kerry speaks to about 100 Marines aboard the amphibious transport dock San Antonio on Tuesday as part of the Corps' 240th birthday celebration.
Photo Credit: Lance Bacon/Staff
Master Gunnery Sgt. Antonio Hardy, a career planner with 29 years of service, was honored as the oldest Marine. He was joined by 19-year-old Pfc. PFC Raymond Cruz, a data network specialist eight days shy of one year in the Corps. Cruz said it was "truly an honor" to be the youngest Marine on hand and participate in the ceremonies. He is not sure if he will make it a career.
Sgt. Daisy Romero, a logistics/embarkation specialist, said that while saw the birthday celebration in a different light. Though she has always honored the Marine Corps' birthday traditions, the logistics/embarkation specialist said it means more to her now after nearly s she nears a decade of service.
"I stay in the Marine Corps for those who couldn't be here; friends that I've lost in combat," Romero said. "When I started [in the Corps], I didn't have that perspective of camaraderie. Now brotherhood and sisterhood means a lot more to me."
Kerry was in Hampton Roads to discuss environmental issues. He visited the plastic processing station aboard San Antonio and received a brief on maritime operations and rising sea levels. He later spoke on climate change and national security at Old Dominion University.
