<P> The celebrations were formalized and standardized by Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. in 1952, outlining the cake cutting ceremony, which would enter the Marine Drill Manual in 1956 . By tradition, the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, who in turn hands it off to the youngest Marine present, symbolizing the old and experienced Marines passing their knowledge to the new generation of Marines . The celebration also includes a reading of Marine Corps Order 47, republished every year, as well as a message from the current Commandant, and often includes a banquet and dancing if possible . In many cases, the birthday celebration will also include a pageant of current and historical Marine Corps uniforms, as a reminder of the history of the Corps . Another modern tradition includes a unit run on the 10th . Marines are reputed to celebrate the birthday, regardless of where they may be in the world, even in austere environments or combat . </P> <P> In a more somber tradition, Samuel Nicholas's grave in the Arch Street Friends Meeting graveyard in Philadelphia is marked with a wreath at dawn by a group of Marines annually on 10 November to celebrate his role in the founding of the Corps . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> John F. Kelly with Multi-National Forces West in Fallujah, 2008 </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Harry B. Liversedge with the Marine Raiders in 1943 </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Marine modelling a World War I - era uniform at the 2008 Birthday Pageant at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Franklin A. Hart cuts a cake for The Basic School while David M. Shoup looks on in 1951 . Note that this cake has candles . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> James T. Conway leads a unit run of Marines in 2009 . </P> </Li> </Ul> <Li> <P> John F. Kelly with Multi-National Forces West in Fallujah, 2008 </P> </Li>

Who cuts the cake at the marine corps ball