First Marine VP JD Vance honors Corps at 250th birthday event celebration
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Vice President J.D. Vance joined sailors and sailors at Camp Pendleton, California, for the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration on Saturday, telling the crowd that the Corps is ready to fight and win.
The anniversary event included an amphibious assault demonstration at Red Beach, speeches by military leaders and cabinet officials, and Vance’s reminder that he was the first Marine to serve as vice president.
Helicopters roared overhead and amphibious vehicles crashed through the waves as sailors stormed the beach to open the ceremony. As families shaded their eyes and the Ospreys roared overhead, Second Lady Usha Vance accompanied her husband to watch the spectacle.
This year’s ceremony marks a quarter-millennium since the Continental Congress first authorized the Marine Corps in 1775.
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Vice President J.D. Vance speaks during the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton, California, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith told the crowd that what they saw was the voice and sight of freedom. He described the Corps as America’s “911 force” and warned that the Marine Corps must be ready for whatever comes next.
“The next fight is coming,” he said. “The Marines will be ready. Ready to fight. Ready to win.”
The next fight is coming. The Marines will be ready. I’m ready to fight. We are ready to win.
“When it matters most, it is not the technology or equipment that wins the day, but the reliability, determination and character of the sailor or sailor who uses it,” Smith said. He concluded his speech by thanking the families and wishing them blessings for their sacrifices.
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth makes remarks during the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton, California, on Saturday. (Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images)
Then Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave one of the most impassioned speeches of the day. A combat veteran himself, he told the Marines that the Corps stood strong while others hesitated.
“I shouldn’t say that, actually no. But I think you might be my favorite,” Hegseth said.
He anchored the Corps in the administration’s broader theme of America First, peace through strength, and discretion at every turn. Hegseth reminded the crowd that although many different faces fill the ranks, the Corps’ true strength comes from its unity of mission.
“The truth is, your diversity is not your strength. It never has been. Your strength is in your unity of purpose. It is in your common mission. It is in your oath to the Constitution. It is the bond that transforms individuals into determined fighting units. You see, you are segregated. You are not civilians. You are devil dogs, moles, United States Marines,” the Secretary said to cheers.
The crowd dispersed when Vance took the stage.
“God bless you, sailors,” he began, “Oorah!” smiling while chanting. echoed back. He quickly reminded them that he was the first Marine to serve as vice president. “From one sailor to another, thank you for your service,” he said.
“I also have to give a special shout out to the incredible show we saw earlier today. It made my heart sing,” Vance said. “As your vice president, it was a testament to elemental strength and invincible strength. It reminded me why I was so proud to wear the uniform, to be among your ranks, and to be the first vice president to serve in the United States Marine Corps.”
Vance used his speech to honor heroes, remember those who died and reflect on his own service. He mentioned Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer, who served in Afghanistan, Navy corpsman Charles Cram, who helped raise the flag on Iwo Jima, and Navy aviator Elmer Royce Williams, who survived the longest dogfight in American history.
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Vice President J.D. Vance, Calif., on Saturday. He raises his fist as helicopters fly over Marines during the 250th anniversary celebration of the Union at Camp Pendleton. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The vice president mixed humor with seriousness that his fellow sailors immediately noticed. He joked about the “E-4 Mafia” and shared a story about a gunnery sergeant who once saved him from signing a used car loan with 22% interest by referring him to the Navy Federal Credit Union.
“This gunner’s leadership not only saved me money,” Vance said. “It taught me that sailors look out for each other.”
Vance’s remarks included a specific story from training camp. Recruits lined up for Catholic or Protestant church services, and Vance called himself an atheist, referring to himself in the third person as a “recruiter.”
“Get in the Catholic line,” the drill instructor snapped. Vance joked that this punchline “won’t work under Biden.”
Vance also took aim at Democrats in Congress over the government shutdown and vowed that the administration would fight to ensure enlisted sailors are paid.
“We will do everything possible to ensure enlisted seafarers receive their wages,” he said. “Political conflicts in Washington should not come at the expense of soldiers and their families.”
Vice President J.D. Vance speaks with his wife, Usha Vance, before attending the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton, California, on Saturday. (Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images)
He tied the 250th anniversary to the Corps’ beginning in 1775 at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. He named the battles that defined maritime history: from Belleau Wood and Iwo Jima to the Chosin Reservoir, Khe Sanh, Ramadi, Fallujah and Helmand, and told the audience that every generation of the Corps shared the same common goal.
“Every single person here bleeds the green blood of the Marine Corps,” Vance said. “It is our common purpose that moves us forward.”
Everyone here bleeds the green blood of the Marine Corps.
Vance reminded the East Coast Marines who crushed the sand fleas on Parris Island that their bond was the same as those who climbed the California hills. He spoke of the pride he felt in wearing the Corps uniform and concluded his speech with words that Marines had heard before but welcomed on their birthday.
“Keep kicking… Keep taking names. Semper Fidelis, Marines. Happy 250th birthday. God bless you,” he said.
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On the day when reminders of sacrifice, courage and unity were made, the ceremony ended with the roar of the crowd.
The Secretary of War, the Navy, and Vance’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. The Marine Corps has no further comment to Fox News Digital at this time.
