CAKE CUTTING SCRIPT
(The following are three separate and slightly different
cake cutting scripts. There does not appear to be a set-
in-stone script.)
EXAMPLE #1
It is customary at Marine Corps birthday celebrations
worldwide to cut a traditional cake in celebration of the
birth of our illustrious Corps.
The first piece of cake is given to our guest of honor,
.
The second to the oldest Marine present he
was born on and enlisted in the Marine Corps on
.
Upon receiving the second piece of cake, the oldest Marine
will in turn pass it on to signifying the
passing of experience and knowledge from the old to the
young of our Corps. will then receive the
third piece of cake further emphasizing the fact that we
care for our young Marines before we look to our own needs.
(Pause) and so it must be.
EXAMPLE #2
The Marine Corp’s birthday cake-cutting ceremony is
important to all Marines, as it is an annual renewal of
each Marine’s commitment to the Corps . . . and the Corps’
commitment to our nations quest for peace and freedom
worldwide.
The birthday cake is traditionally cut with the Mameluke
sword, as a reminder that we are a band of warriors,
committed to carrying the sword, so that our nation may
live in peace. The Mameluke sword gets its name from the
cross hilt and ivory grip design, similar to swords used
for centuries by Ottoman warriors. The Marine Corps
tradition of carrying this sword dates from Lieutenant
Presley O’Bannon’s assault of Derna, Tripoli, in 1805,