March on the cake!

Here in Botswana, at the US Mission in Gaborone, we celebrated the 233rd birthday of the Marine Corps on November 14. This is a Marine tradition started in the 1920s and Marines celebrate the birthday of the Corps wherever they are. We have a detachment of Marines at our Embassy and so then, we get to attend the Marine Birthday Ball.

Some photos from this year's Ball:

Gaborone Marine Detachment

March on the Colors!

Guest of Honor, Ambassador Stephen Nolan

March on the Cake!

Cutting the cake with a sword

This year's cake

It's tradition that the oldest Marine in the area gets the 2nd piece of cake -- this guy has been getting that 2nd piece of cake for about 17 years now.

Thom and Debra with 2 of our Marines. We were busy talking and missed the group shots with all the Marines.
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