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A mixed color guard represented both the Marine Corps and the Navy at the Navy?s 231st birthday, held in the main-side chow hall in Camp Taqaddum October 14. During the birthday celebration, sailors observe such traditions as the cake cutting ceremony. Navy Capt. Chuck Blankenship, a 57-year-old general surgeon with Taqaddum Surgical and a native of Texarcana, Tx. passed a piece of cake to Seaman Christopher L. Daniel, a 20-year-old native of Barnesville, Ga. and a corpsman with Military Police Company, CLR-15, 1st MLG. When the oldest sailor passes the youngest sailor a piece of cake, it symbolizes the passing of tradition, said Senior Chief Ed Santa-Maria, Command Master Chief, 1st MLG. It also symbolizes the passing of responsibility and the transference of values, so that the Navy remains the best in the world, said Santa-Maria, a 45-year-old native of Dededo, Guam.