MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Marines and sailors with Headquarters Company, 3rd Marine Regiment participated in a six-mile hike and held a cake-cutting ceremony in celebration of the Marine Corps birthday, Nov. 7, 2013.
“This was definitely not the longest hike I’ve ever done (in the fleet) but it was a different way to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday,” said Cpl. Brandon Eudaily, an amphibious assaultman with 3rd Marines and a 21-year-old native of Humble, Texas. “There’s nothing wrong with some cake to finish the hike either.”
Third Marines gathered at their armory before dawn and prepared for the hike. Colonel Timothy Winand, and Sgt. Maj. Vincent Santiago, commanding officer and sergeant major of the regiment, respectfully, led the hike. The trek started at the armory and headed toward the back entrance of the base to the Nuupia Ponds running trail. The next stop on the journey was Dewey Square, where Marines took a moment to recuperate.
After 10 minutes, they turned around and finished hiking at the 3rd Marines headquarters building. Everyone stationed their gear and gathered to cut a cake decorated with the regiment’s emblem. Santiago read the first birthday message by Gen. John A. Lejeune and Winand had a few motivational words for the Marines and sailors .
“When I look at every Marine here today, there is not a doubt in my mind that you all will carry out the traditions of those came before us,” said Winand. “Everyone here today is part of the long line of illustrious men of the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen.”
Winand and Santiago walked over to the cake with a private first class to continue the oldest and youngest Marines cake-cutting tradition. After the first pieces of cake were cut, everyone else partook in the celebration. Marines and sailors returned to their gear worn on the hike, packed up and returned home to conclude the morning’s hike and cake-cutting ceremony.
“This is one of my favorite parts of the year,” Eudaily said. “It’s being able to get together for a hike and join in on some motivating cake that reminds me of how proud I am to be a Marine.”