On the eve of Veterans Day, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy celebrated their 224th birthday on Wednesday with a speaker and traditional cake-cutting ceremony.

“Having Veterans Day and the Marine Corps’ birthday so close gave us a great opportunity to look back and reflect on all the sacrifices the military has made for our nation,” said Assistant Marine Officer Instructor Robert Heiserer.

Sgt. John Peterson, USMC, narrated the cake-cutting ceremony, which was held in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

“The ceremony represents the passing of knowledge, wisdom and experience from old to new, to continue the tradition of excellence in the Naval Service,” Peterson said.

Guest of honor John Sheeler, retired marine and Iowa State alumnus, talked about the importance of integrity in the military.

“When integrity is needed,” Sheeler said, “it will come automatically, and one will end up doing the right thing.”

The birthday has become a celebrated event for men and women at ISU and across the nation.

“The Marines are noted for their traditions,” Peterson said. “Every Marine has a sense of history. This celebration gives them a chance to reflect back and look ahead.”

Andres Chavez, Navy ROTC third-class midshipmen, said he feels the role of the military in an educational environment is important.

“At the college level, there are specific classes to teach leadership and how the military works,” said Chavez, senior in aerospace engineering. “College teaches critical thinking skills that can be applied in the military to make important decisions and develop skills before entering the fleet.”

Sheeler said he believes that if a student is serious about the military, he or she has to be serious about academics.

“College students today are the future of the Navy’s leadership,” said Midshipmen First-Class Jake Wadsley, senior in mechanical engineering. “They all have an impact in the military, and college students are where the leadership of the Navy comes from.”

Heiserer noted that “people that go to college have their priorities straight, and the military helps them receive discipline that will help in the future.”