Clements High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets gathered on Nov. 4 for a formal cake-cutting ceremony in honor of the Navy and Marine Corps 234th Birthdays. The cadets decided to celebrate both birthdays together because they have a Navy instructor, Lieutenant Commander Ken Minnard, and a Marine Corps instructor, Sergeant Major Jeffrey Andrews. The NJROTC command staff organized the ceremony and invited Colonel Jimmy Mitchell, USMC, retired to be the keynote speaker.
It is customary at these birthday celebrations held throughout the world to cut a traditional cake in celebration of the birth of the Navy and Marine Corps. The first piece of cake was given to the guest of honor, Colonel Mitchell. The second piece was given to the oldest Cadet, Scott Alleman. Customarily, the oldest cadet passes the cake on to the youngest cadet, which signifies the passing of experience and knowledge from the old to the young. The youngest cadet, Jacob Wickoff, received the piece of cake from Alleman.
