Motivational, inspirational and full of pride. That is how most people who watch the video would describe the annual commandant’s birthday message to the Marine Corps.

The United States Marine Corps birthday is celebrated every year on Nov. 10. On that day in 1775, the Continental Marines was established.

As the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 243rd birthday on Saturday, Marines around the world will celebrate, in many cases, with a ball.

The festive Marine Corps Birthday Ball generally starts with all in attendance watching the commandant’s message before moving on to other traditions.

While the Marines at these celebrations maintain their composure, the birthday video tends to leave misty eyes among the spouses and guests at their sides.

The commandant delivers an impactful message that likely resonates with Marines, a reminder that each Marine carries the legacy of the Corps.

Meade Marine Stands Tall

This year’s annual birthday message features Marines past and present, including a Marine stationed at Fort Meade.

You will find Maj. Alex Lim in the video, standing tall on McGlachlin Parade Field with Pershing Hall and an American flag as a serene backdrop.

Lim is the commanding officer of the Marine Detachment at the Defense Information School. He commands the unit which all Marines are assigned to while attending the Department of Defense school that trains journalists, broadcasters, visual information professionals and public affairs leaders.

The detachment helps these young Marines transition to the fleet after completing their course of instruction at DINFOS.

Lim was approached to appear in this year’s birthday message by Sgt. Erik Estrada, one of Lim’s former Marines.

Lim describes the video as encapsulating the career of a Marine, which is narrated by the commandant.

“I was pretty excited,” said Lim of being asked to participate in the video. “I was like ‘sign me up’ and we filmed. It was like working with your old Marines again. This time it was for something bigger, which was the ball video.”

Lim looks forward to the birthday message every year. This year’s video spoke to him because the video was ultimately, a message for the Marine.

“To be in this video and to represent a face of the several thousand Marines who came before you, it was humbling,” Lim said. “It was a privilege.”

While the birthday ball is a great event, Lim said this time of year is more about the birthday itself and sharing the camaraderie with fellow Marines.

“There’s something special about it,” Lim said. “Everything that involves the birthday, that involves your time and service in the Marine Corps, it is just encapsulated in this day. And we get to celebrate that together, which makes it very special.”

Cake-Cutting Tradition

While there are many traditions that go into celebrating the Marine Corps birthday, the cake cutting may be the most important, said Lim.

During the cake-cutting ceremony, the oldest Marine present shares a piece of cake with the youngest Marine, symbolizing the passing of knowledge from the old to the young of the Corps.

“Overseas, I’ve been in Afghanistan with a regiment and we did a cake-cutting to the point where you are blowing the desert sand and dust out of your cake to eat it,” Lim said. “I know without a doubt that Marines overseas will celebrate the birthday come November 10, come hell or high water, in some way, shape or form.

“There will be a cake. I don’t know where it will come from, but Marines will be eating it.”

The Marine Detachment at Fort Meade will celebrate the Marine Corps birthday today at noon with a cake-cutting ceremony. The guest speaker is Col. Ricardo Player, deputy director of the Communication Directorate at Marines Corps headquarters.

The Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, which supports the National Security Agency and the U.S. Cyber Command, will celebrate on Friday with a birthday run on the installation.

Marines traditionally call on the Fort Meade garrison commander around 6:30 a.m.

Garrison Commander Col. Erich C. Spragg will meet the battalion at his front door and, after hearing the Marine Corps Hymn, will join the battalion on its birthday run.

To see the 243rd birthday message go to https://bit.ly/2AOBkEq.

You can find the original story in the Fort Meade Soundoff!