U.S. Marine Corps cuts the cake for 240th birthday

A day shy of Veterans Day, guests gathered to celebrate the few, the proud, the Marines for the 240th birthday at Marina Jack Tuesday afternoon. 

For the past 13 years local active and retired members of the U.S. Marine Corps have been gathering to celebrate the birthday. This year one of the guests of honor was Maj. Mike Dubrule who commands the Young Marines group at Venice Middle School. With him were five students from the program in attendance to hear stories and interact with veterans. 

"There's a real brotherhood and sisterhood in the Marine Corps," Dubrule said. "There is a legacy of leadership and discipline passed on from generation to generation. What you see here today is the continuance of observing that legacy."

Before he could sit down for lunch, veteran Tim Downey provided a prime example of that camaraderie by donating some of his favorite books to the Young Marines. 

With more than 200 in attendance, collectively there was experience in the room that spanned more than 70 years of conflicts. Host and veteran Tom Smith gave each group from as early as World War II to more recently Iran and Afghanistan. 

"World War II veterans, when the rest of us were going through our training, your sacrifice and your legacy were our inspiration," Smith said. 

The second guest of honor was Blanche Mettler who served during World War II. She was given the honor of cutting the cake with the ceremonial sword. 

"It's the most wonderful organization in the whole wide world and I'm proud to be a Marine," Mettler said.