Lt. Col. Garth P. Massey (center), commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, cuts the first slice of birthday cake during 2/23’s 241st Marine Corps Birthday Ball held Nov. 12, 2016, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif. The Marine Corps Ball has been a Marine Corps tradition since 1951 and includes a sword detail, the reading of the Commandant Gen. Robert B. Neller’s birthday message and an official cake cutting for the oldest and youngest Marines present as well as the guest of honor who receives the first piece before giving a speech to those present.