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Vice President JD Vance entered the stage in Marine Corps‘ 250th Birthday Ball in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, where a crowd of Marines in blue uniforms with a booming “How are we doing, Marines?” be welcomed.
He grinned as the ballroom erupted in cheers. “It’s so great to be here to celebrate 250 years of the United States Marine Corps,” he said, drawing loud applause.
“That, my friends, is what the Marine Corps does – it keeps us honest.”
The address marked the start of Veterans Day weekend and underscored the White House’s emphasis on military strength and service.
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Vice President JD Vance arrives to speak at the Marine Ball at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC on Saturday (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
The vice president — himself a proud Marine veteran — received a standing ovation as he reminded the crowd that he was “the very first.” Vice President of the United States is said to have been a United States Marine.
Vance thought about joining the Marines as a 19-year-old recruit on the yellow footprints of Parris Island, South Carolina.
“The Marine Corps kept me honest,” he said. “It gave me a great education, it gave me a sense of purpose and it gave me lifelong friends.”
He credited these lessons with shaping his life long after military service. “The Marine Corps has done more for me than I can ever repay,” he said. “But what I promise is that I will continue to honor the United States Marine Corps as long as I have the honor of being your vice president.”
Vice President JD Vance speaks during the Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Celebration Oct. 18 at Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
In a moment that elicited much laughter, Vance told the story of meeting a 99-year-old Iwo Jima veteran earlier that evening. The Marine had teased him about his beard, and Vance said, “I’m the vice president of the United States, and this guy is on my mind because he has a beard.”
He laughed and added, “That, my friends, is what the Marine Corps does – it keeps us honest.”
In his remarks, Vance recognized Marines of every generation: “from young to old, from the privates born in 2006 to the veterans of Iwo Jima.”
He told the audience he was “proud” of every Marine and vowed, “We will continue to win America’s wars for the next 250 years.”
Vance also vowed, in a moment of determination, that America’s leaders would never again send troops into harm’s way without the mission being clear and without supporting the people on the ground.
Vice President JD Vance gestures as helicopters fly over Marines during a 250th anniversary celebration Oct. 18 at Camp Pendleton, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“As we send you to fight our nation’s battles, we will do so with full confidence,” he said. “We give you the knowledge and tools you need to win, and we make it clear that your job is to kick the enemy and get home safely.”
Vance acknowledged the Corps’ importance in the age of advanced technology. “Let’s face it,” he said, “the battlefield has changed in incredible and profound ways … but I happen to believe that the most important warfare technology is not artificial intelligence or anything on a computer. The most important warfare technology is a well-trained and well-armed U.S. Marine.”
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As the crowd rose for a final toast, Vance took a moment to reflect. “The Marine Corps has done a lot for me,” he said. “It did more for me than I can ever repay.”
Then he raised his glass and concluded, “I will fight every day to ensure that the next 250 years are as proud as the first 250. Happy birthday, Marines.”
The ballroom responded with thunderous applause and a sea of raised glasses.