N.O. marines celebrate 241 years of service

From left: Suzi Lanier, retired GySgt. Jodi Lara, and Major Reserve Tamia N. Gordon were among dozens of people celebrating the 241st anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.| Photo by David T. Baker

By David T. Baker
Contributing Writer

In the spirits of service and loyalty on which the United States Marine Corps was founded in 1775, celebrated New Orleans chef, restauranteur and corps veteran John Besh hosted his 10th annual Marine Corp birthday at Luke Restaurant on November 10.

Marines from all over the New Orleans region and some from even as far as Kansas, both retired and active, gathered in celebration of the occasion.

On November 10, 1775, a resolution to establish two battalions of Marines to fight for independence “on sea and on shore” was approved by the Continental Congress. That date is the official formation of the United States Marine Corps. This year marks the corp’s 241st anniversary.

Besh, who served as a marine during Desert Storm, stood before a crowd of his marine and navy corps colleagues to express his gratitude for their service to the nation. Besh was part of the platoon responsible for liberating the Kuwait International Airport during Desert Storm.

“We volunteer to die for our country. There’s no other group that does that,” said Besh as he looked out into the cheering crowd.

Following Besh’s words of thanks, the group commenced with their ceremonial cake-cutting. The oldest and youngest marines on site are drafted to cut the cake using a Mameluke Sword, which is the official sword worn by U.S. Marine officers. The Mameluke became the official sword of the marines after it was gifted to Lt. Presley O’Bannon in 1805.

The night also included a bit of a cappella. During the celebration, the crowd of marines burst out into song singing the Marines’ Hymn, which is the official hymn of the United States Marine Corps.

“I look at each one of you, and I thank you. And I look at each one of you and you’re my brothers, you’re my sisters,” Besh said. “You have taken up the calling of freedom.”

You can follow news and updates from David T. Baker on Twitter at @Tadfly.

This article originally published in the November 21, 2016 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.