Marines Mark 251st Birthday at MCAS Yuma

MCAS Yuma held a cake cutting and uniform pageant to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps' 251st birthday.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Military

Sunlit desert airfield with a solitary flagpole on a concrete apron, distant mountain ridge and parked aircraft beyond, clear dry sky. — The U.S. Marine Corps marked its 251st birthday Thursday at MCAS Yuma in Yuma, Arizona, with a cake cutting and a uniform pageant tracing the Corps' history. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The U.S. Marine Corps marked its 251st birthday on Thursday with a ceremony at MCAS Yuma in Yuma, Arizona. The event featured a cake cutting and a uniform pageant showing the history of the Corps.

Why it matters

The ceremony recognized the anniversary of the Marine Corps while reflecting its traditions across generations of service members. Local events like this one at MCAS Yuma connect the installation and the surrounding Yuma community to the Corps' long history.

The Marine Corps' 251st birthday was celebrated at MCAS Yuma on November 5, 2026. The source does not provide attendance numbers or details on how many marines participated in the events.

The players

Col. David J. Bennett

Col. David J. Bennett serves as the Commanding Officer of MCAS Yuma, the Marine Corps air station hosting the celebration.

The details

During the ceremony, a piece of cake was passed from the oldest to the youngest Marine, with Colonel Bennett, the oldest on-duty Marine, and Private Austin, who joined in 2025, taking part. A uniform pageant displaying the Corps' history was also held as part of the celebration, which will continue throughout November.

Thursday, November 5, 2026: Marine Corps 251st birthday celebration held at MCAS Yuma.
2025: Private Austin joins the Marine Corps.
November 2026: Celebration events continue throughout the month.

Military Tradition

The cake-passing ceremony at MCAS Yuma follows the Marine Corps' longstanding birthday tradition of passing cake from the oldest to the youngest Marine. The uniform pageant similarly traces the Corps' history through its uniforms across its 251 years.

Residents of Yuma may see the continuing November celebrations at MCAS Yuma throughout the month. Those interested in attending should check with the installation for public access details, which the source does not specify.

The takeaway

Traditions like the cake-passing ceremony connect newer service members with the Marine Corps' history and the veterans who came before them. Observing such events helps readers appreciate how military heritage is maintained at local installations.