Marines honor Veterans Day, celebrate 251 years of service and tradition

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - From honoring past generations to mentoring future leaders, two Marines shared what service means to them during a Veterans Day visit to ABC7.Major William Watson and Staff Sergeant Henry Duval joined ABC 7 News at Noon and 1PM, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, a day after the U.S. Marine Corps celebrated its 251st birthday.Watson, who has 15 years of service, said the anniversary is an opportunity for Marines to celebrate their history and the bonds they share.“It’s an opportunity to come together, to break bread, to share in the camaraderie of being part of one of the finest organizations the entire world has to offer,” Watson said.Among the Marine Corps’ longstanding birthday traditions is its cake-cutting ceremony. Watson said the ceremony symbolizes passing knowledge from senior Marines to junior Marines, preserving the organization’s history and preparing the next generation.“So when we cut that first piece of cake, it is an opportunity to impart the knowledge, the