Brig. Gen. Matthew Tracy, commanding general of Education Command and president of Marine Corps University slices a cake during the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ cake-cutting ceremony celebrating the 250th Marine Corps birthday in Triangle, Va., on Nov. 10, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
TRIANGLE, Va. — More than 1,000 people packed the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., to celebrate the service’s 250th birthday with its signature cake-cutting ceremony.
Despite being closed for weeks because of the federal government shutdown, the NMMC opened Monday to celebrate Marine Corps service, sacrifice and tradition.
“It’s the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps,” said retired Maj. Gen. James Lukeman, president and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. “We couldn’t let this occasion pass without celebrating with Marines from everywhere. It was really important for us to be able to have this ceremony here.”
Lukeman added that, operating as a nonprofit, the museum was able to hold the ceremony without government expense.
The galleries remained off limits, but the ceremony drew Marines, veterans and supporters from across the state and the country to the museum’s Leatherneck Gallery.
The first cake-cutting ceremony was held at 10 a.m., and a second was scheduled for 2 p.m. It is also expected to draw more than 1,000 visitors.
Phillip Parsons of Winchester, Va., is the senior vice commandant of Marine Corps League Detachment 890 — LtGen Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller. During his 20-year career in the Corps, he has seen many cake-cutting ceremonies, but the one at the museum was a first for him.
“It was cool to do the cake-cutting ceremony in this environment with a lot of Marines here,” said Parsons. “It was moving to hear the Marine Corps hymn sung by all of us.”
Marines in their dress blues rolled the birthday cake on a cart to the center of Leatherneck Gallery, presenting it to the guest of honor, Brig. Gen. Matthew Tracy, commanding general of Education Command and president of Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va.
Following a time-honored Marine Corps tradition, Tracy received the first slice of cake, then cut a second and third piece to present to the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance.
James Wescoat, 104, left, and Pvt. Joseph Pacella, 19, were on hand at the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ cake-cutting ceremony celebrating the 250th Marine Corps birthday on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Triangle, Va. Wescoat and Pacella were honored as the oldest and youngest Marine in attendance during the ceremony. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
The second slice went to James Wescoat, 104, who enlisted on Jan. 7, 1942, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served in the South Pacific aboard the USS Denver and left the Corps at the end of World War II on Oct. 5, 1945.
Lukeman said Wescoat was likely the oldest Marine the museum has ever hosted at its annual cake-cutting ceremony.
The third slice was given to Pvt. Joseph Pacella, 19, who enlisted this year, representing the newest generation of Marines.
To close the ceremony, visitors were invited to enjoy a complimentary slice of cake, purchase a commemorative coin and view a small, temporary exhibit.
