COEUR d’ALENE — About 250 people gathered Friday night to celebrate nearly two and a half centuries of faithful U.S. Marine Corps service.

Wearing his dress blues, Pappy Boyington Detachment 966 Commandant Jay Lillefloren spoke on the legacy of the Marines — past, present and future.

“Our corps holds to traditions that link us to elite warriors who wore the uniform before us, but the traditions we hand down through the generations go far beyond the tangible displays, symbols and our customs,” Lillefloren said. “The most important traditions that link us to our past must be carried on to the future. They are intangible ones, traditions of courage, trust, discipline, loyalty, respect, adaptability and leadership.”

Camaraderie among the men and women who serve never ends, even after retirement from the corps.

“Once a Marine, always a Marine,” said Joel Rose, who served from 1982 through 1986. Rose grew up in California and attended boot camp at MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) in San Diego.

“I went into the Marine Corps right after high school, moved away and never went back,” Rose said.

Now working for Ziply Fiber, Rose has resided in Coeur d’Alene with his wife, Stephanie, for the past five years.

As is traditional at every military ball and chow hall, the Prisoners Of War/Missing In Action table was set in honor of comrades who did not return home. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 performed the ceremony of presentation.

As a symbol of passing on the Marines legacy from older generations to younger, Col. Jim Flowers joined Lillefloren to cut the cake. The ceremony serves as a “reminder that (the Marines) are a band of warriors, committed to carrying the sword so the nation may live in peace.”

Born Aug. 16, 1936, retired Capt. Paul Sullivan was honored as the oldest Marine present. He passed a piece of cake to the youngest Marine present, Justin Peck, born July 21, 1983, as a symbol of the abiding tradition of experienced Marines nurturing young Marines, as they refill the ranks and renew the strength of the corps.

“It’s been 246 years since the legacy began,” Lillefloren said. “We celebrate those traits that have been forged in all Marines, past and present.”