Colton, CA—Cake is a universal symbol for celebration around the world. On November 10, for veterans and members of the United States Marine Corp, cake takes on a whole new meaning: knowledge being passed down from generation to generation.

Last night, the city of Colton’s chapter of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) held a celebration in honor of the Marine Corp’s 247th birthday. It was a night filled with family, friends, and festivities paying tribute to local marines. The VFW’s ladies’ auxiliary served up a spaghetti dinner to raise money in support of the Red Poppies foundation. 

The centerpiece of the evening was the cutting of the Marine Corps’ birthday cake. Commander Socorro “Dez” Hernandez presided over the proceedings. After veteran Martin Vega cut the cake with a ceremonial saber, the first slice was given to the city’s oldest Marine in attendance, Rudy Ramirez, who, after taking a bite, handed the slice to the city’s youngest Marine, Joshua McPherson.

Ramirez, age 82, first enlisted in the service on July 29, 1963. He was a graduate of Colton Union High’s class of 1959, and went on to serve a tour in Vietnam from 1966-67. An affable gentleman, he offered his advice to the younger generation of servicepeople. “Don’t question the orders and don’t fight the system,” he said with a hearty laugh.

As for the younger Marine, Joshua McPherson, 25, who enlisted in the Marines in 2020, his journey is just beginning. When attending college, McPherson found himself at a crossroads for his future. “I was gonna stay in college,” he said, “and then I just hit the wall and didn’t really know what I wanted.”

After putting a lot of thought into the decision, McPherson chose the Marines. The Corps’s birthday ceremony had an impact on him. “It’s just awesome to be able to see the people that came before you and now you want to uphold that tradition just like that,” he said.

The cutting of the cake is a tradition as old as the Marines itself. For Marines, celebrating one’s service is an important part of their duty, no matter where they happen to be. Martin Vega shared some of his experiences. 

“I’ve been in the dirt and made a cake out of bread, sugar, and a candle.”

The evening was started with a showing of a recorded birthday greeting from the Marine Corps, followed by a fact-filled speech by recently re-elected Colton city councilman Dr. Luis Gonzales. Ladies’ Auxiliary treasurer Rita Acueto-Colton also took a moment to share the story of the “Red Poppies” and the purpose of the Red Poppy fundraiser in honoring America’s veterans.

The night was topped off with an announcement of the money raised in that evening’s fundraiser. In total, the dinner raised $393 that will go to help local veterans. Additionally, the womens’ auxiliary honored the Pepper Bough with a check for $3,100 to support the Colton High journalism program.

“We are grateful for the generous support of the VFW,” said Jeremiah Dollins, Pepper Bough adviser. “So much of Colton’s history is connected to military service that for this organization to consider supporting us is really humbling.”