SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Marines assigned to High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift celebrate the 236th Marine Corps birthday with Marines from the Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Nov. 10.
The birthday celebration was held at the officers club at 27 de Febrero Naval Base.
The ceremony was attended by Dominican Republic Navy Capt. Samuel Jimenez, Navy director of training, and more than 30 Dominican Marines.
“We wanted to say thank you for all of you being here and the work you are putting in,” said Jimenez. “We hope that on your 236th Birthday, you feel like you are at home, because it is our home.”
Traditionally on the anniversary of the Marine Corps birthday, the oldest Marines present are served the first piece of cake, and then it is passed to the youngest Marine. This honor was shared with the Dominican Marines. Jimenez and Lt. Col. John Robinson were the eldest Marine representatives, while Lcpl. Ronald Russell and Dominican Republic Seaman Hernandez Medina were the youngest participants.
“This passing of cake from old to young,” said 2nd Lt. Lucas Helms, Officer in charge of Southern Partnership Station Marines, “while simultaneously exchanging pieces between our two Marine Corps, signifies the passing of experience and knowledge from both old to young, and from Corps to Corps.”
U.S. and Dominican Marines began working together Monday, and they have focused on small unit leadership, first-aid, and land navigation. The partnership will continue for the remainder of Swift’s visit to the Dominican Republic.
“We build partnerships from the ground up,” said Cmdr. Garry Wright, Southern Partnership Station mission commander. “These guys are out there on the ground working together.”
Staff Sgt Garival Perez, assigned to the Southern Partnership Station Marine detachment, grew-up in the Dominican Republic and served as the translator during the birthday ceremony. His father and aunt, local residents, attended the ceremony.
“It is an honor to be a link between the Marine Corps and the Dominican Republic,” said Perez.
The U.S. Marines are in the Dominican Republic for Southern Partnership Station 2012 (HSV-SPS 12).
Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of U.S. ships to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility in the Caribbean, Central and South America. The mission's primary goal is information sharing with navies, coast guards and civilians in the region. Both U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. FOURTH Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) support USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.