JD Vance fires up Marines on Corps’ 250th birthday, pledges full support for troops

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance addressed Marines at the birthday ball on Saturday, November 8, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.

He reflected on his own service in the Marine Corps and pledged his full support for the force, emphasizing a commitment to mission clarity and readiness for the future.

JD Vance celebrates and honors Marine heritage

At the birthday ball, Vance hailed “250 years of the United States Marine Corps.”

He opened his remarks with a booming greeting, “How we doing, Marines?” and received loud applause and cheers from Marines dressed in their dress blues.

Vance, a veteran, highlighted that he is the first U.S. vice president to have served in the Marine Corps.

Reflecting on his own journey, he said he joined at age 19 as a recruit on the yellow footprints at Parris Island, South Carolina.

He stated, “The Marine Corps has kept me honest,” adding that it “gave me great training, it gave me a sense of purpose, and it gave me lifelong friends.”

Vance also observed how those lessons have stayed with him long after his service, saying, “The Marine Corps has done more for me than I can possibly repay. But the thing that I promise, so long as I have the honor of being your vice president, is that I will continue to honor the United States Marine Corps.”

With respect to Marines of all generations, he paid tribute “from the young to the old, from the lance corporals born in 2006 to the veterans of Iwo Jima.”

JD Vance pledges support to Marines

Vance stated firmly that America’s leaders would never again send troops into harm’s way without clear mission definition and full support for those in the field.

He declared, “When we send you off to fight our nation’s battles, we will do it with full confidence. We will give you the knowledge and the tools you need to win, and we will make it clear that your job is to kick the enemy’s a-- and come home safely.”

He acknowledged changes in warfare, noting, “Let’s be honest… the battlefield has changed in an incredible and profound way.”

But he added, “I happen to believe that the most important war-fighting technology is not artificial intelligence or anything on a computer. The most important war-fighting technology is a well-trained and well-armed United States Marine.”

Raising his glass in a final toast, he said, “The Marine Corps has done a lot for me. It’s done more for me than I can possibly repay. I will fight every single day to make sure that the next 250 years are just as damn proud as the first 250. Happy Birthday, Marines.”

The audience of Marines rose and met the toast with thunderous applause and raised glasses.