MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA Ariz., -- More than 70 children and 70 adults gathered at Infinities Nov. 8 to celebrate the Marine Corps' 226th birthday.
The Junior Marine Corps Birthday Ball was open to all station Marine and Sailor families with preschool-aged children.
There was a brief cake cutting ceremony honoring the oldest and youngest child development center "Marines," but the rest of the celebration was decidedly more geared to toddlers' interests. The children were bopping and dancing to popular music during a musical chairs-style contest that offered prizes to many of the young guests.
Though the youngsters might not be able to fully grasp the meaning of the ball, the parents who brought their children to the mini-ball said they were pleased with the opportunity it gave them to share the Marine Corps birthday with their children.
"I think it's neat because the kids get the opportunity to see the traditions of the Corps, and what it means to be a part of the Marine family," said Staff Sgt. James Biggs, a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-13 power plants section staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, who brought his daughter Samantha, 4, and son Tristan, 3, to the mini-ball.
It was the sixth year that a celebration was held for the youngest "Marines" on station. If the smiles on the childrens' faces were any gauge, it was a success as usual.