Charley Henson, 91, left, the oldest Marine attending a birthday celebration Monday for the U.S. Marine Corps, is presented with the first piece of cake by Capt. Jose Nicolas. Looking on at center is retired Maj. Gen. David A. Richwine, who was the guest speaker at the 233rd birthday celebration at the Dole Institute of Politics. Henson, of Lawrence, served on the the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in the Pacific Ocean during World War II and later became a Marine recruiter.

The U.S. Marine Corps can trace its belief in values such as courage, honor and commitment to the writers of the nation’s Constitution, according to a retired Marine major general.

“I believe that is why Americans want a Marine Corps, and I believe that is why we are needed today,” David Richwine said Monday during Lawrence’s annual Marine birthday celebration.

Richwine, of Leavenworth, spoke to at least 100 people, including current and former Marines, who gathered in Kansas University’s Dole Institute of Politics. The corps was born on Nov. 10, 1775, and is now 233 years old.

Marines also share common bonds that include a belief in God, country and family as well as one another, said Richwine, a Vietnam veteran, Silver Star recipient and former director of Marine intelligence.

But when it comes to a combat situation, Marines aren’t thinking about fighting for those higher principles, Richwine said.

“We face imminent danger and seek to survive and keep the guys on our left and our right alive with us. It’s that simple,” he said.

Three big birthday cakes were cut following the speech and special recognition was given to the oldest and youngest Marines present, based on the year they joined.

Charlie Henson, 91, of Lawrence, was the oldest. He joined the Marines in January 1941 and served six years.

Lance Cpl. Jordan Alley, 22, Overland Park, was the youngest Marine present. Alley, who is currently a KU student, signed up to be a Marine in July 2005. He wanted to become part of the Marine tradition, and attending the birthday party reinforces his desire, he said.

“You see all the sacrifices of veterans before you talk about the sacrifices they’ve made and you just want to live up to that and not tarnish their image,” Alley said.

A videotaped message from Marine Commandant Gen. James T. Conway was played, and the Lawrence High School Chorale sang the Marine Hymn.