SHARE

Fairfield County Veterans Commemorate 240th Birthday Of Marine Corps

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. — Marines from all over Fairfield County — and the world — are commemorating the 240th birthday of the Marine Corps on Tuesday.

Marine Corps veterans Bill Perillo and Jim Wiltsie pose for a photo.

Marine Corps veterans Bill Perillo and Jim Wiltsie pose for a photo.

Photo Credit: Contributed

“Today is a day to reflect and remember all the Marines that are still serving around the world,” Marine Corps veteran Jim Wiltsie of Stratford told the Daily Voice. He now serves as a member of the Fairfield Police Department's marine unit.

Wiltsie said every Marine worldwide will take part in some type of a celebration on their bases.

In these ceremonies, the oldest and youngest Marines in the room receive special attention. They often get the first two slices of the birthday cake, he said.

Marines, who serve the country by land, air and sea, are a unique group of servicemen.

“They’re hard-core devil dogs,” Wiltsie said. “They’re basically the world’s 9-1-1 force.”

Although Marines serve the country in many different areas near and far, they are a close-knit community.

Fellow Marine veteran Bill Perillo, who is retired from the Stratford Police Department, said the corps provides plenty of opportunities for camaraderie.

Perillo said he plans to buy a birthday cake and meet up with a fellow veteran at a local bar Tuesday to commemorate the occasion.

When Perillo joined the corps, he was just 18. But he said his experiences stick with him to this day.

Those experiences have given him the confidence to overcome personal and professional challenges that come his way, Perillo said. Wiltsie agreed.

“Joining the Marine Corps was the best decision of my life,” Wiltsie said. “I miss it.”

The Marine Corps was founded on Nov. 10, 1775. At that time, the Continental Congress approved the resolution to establish two battalions of Marines.

In the 1800s, the Marines began with 343 enlisted men and 25 officers. The corps then grew to 513 enlisted men and 10 officers.

The 2000s began with 204,153 Marines — 182,945 enlisted and 21,208 officers, according to the Marine Corps website. 

to follow Daily Voice Wilton and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE