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Spanish Marines Celebrate 471 Years of Service On Board Fort McHenry

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080229-22
Release Date: 2/29/2008 1:53:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) Brian A. Goyak, Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

LIMBE, Cameroon (NNS) -- Spanish and U.S. Marines assigned to Africa Partnership Station (APS) celebrated the 471st birthday of the Spanish Marine Corps Feb. 27 on board the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43).

Established Feb. 27, 1537, by Charles V, the Spanish Marine Infantry (Infantería de Marina) is the longest serving amphibious force in existence today. Throughout history, Infantería de Marina has earned and deserved the Corps motto "Brave by Earth and Sea."

"I think the thing that is most important about events like this is that naval traditions and maritime traditions are thousands of years old," said Cmdr. Daniel Shaw, Fort McHenry's commanding officer. "If you can make some one feel at home on your ship with one of their traditions then you are far ahead of the game of building camaraderie and understanding across international boundaries."

With just four Spanish marines on board, the U.S. Marines took it upon themselves to help their counterparts celebrate this important occasion.

"I had been practicing my Spanish with Cpl. Torro and she mentioned their birthday would be in a week," said Staff Sgt. William Sudbrock. "My fellow Marines and I asked the galley to prepare a cake for them in order to help them celebrate."

The ceremony exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation and partnership that APS is designed to foster.

"This morning we shared our corps' birthday with them because we wanted to share our celebration with them. Being away from our fellow Spanish Marines, we had nothing to share," said Capt. Samuel Morales, Spanish Marine Corps team leader. "We had nothing to offer and they have brought us the party. This is the fellowship between Marines."

"We have so much in common despite being from different countries. Being Marines and sharing the same principles make me feel that our family is here today," added Morales.

The Spanish Marines have been on board APS training maritime professionals in Wing Tsun and Choy Lee Fut styles of Kung Fu martial arts throughout West and Central Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -Commander, 6th Fleet or Africa Partnership Station, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.