November 10 was the 236th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, and Arizona Marines chose to celebrate on the Senate floor. The Marine Corps was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 10, 1775. Arizona is home to the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, 6th Engineer Support Battalion in Tucson, 6th Engineer Support Battalion at Luke Air Force Base and Marine Corps Recruiting Station Phoenix. The birthday ceremony included brief words from Commanding Officer Major Mike Ford and the Guest of Honor, the Honorable Michael D. Ryan, Justice, Arizona Supreme Court (Ret.). A proclamation from Governor Janice K. Brewer was read, recognizing November as “Marine Corps Month”.

The Marines honored the 59 year-old tradition of cutting the ceremonial birthday cake, which has come to symbolize the passing of tradition from generation to generation as the oldest and youngest Marines present are recognized during this event.