Vice President JD Vance took center stage at the Marine Corps’ 250th Birthday Ball in Washington, D.C., delivering a blunt, proud speech that celebrated service, honored tradition, and promised steadfast support for Marines. He mixed solemn gratitude with a laugh-out-loud moment and laid out a clear Republican message: the nation will back its fighting force and never send them into harm’s way without purpose. The evening threaded personal memory, policy resolve, and a simple belief that well-trained Marines remain America’s best defense.
Vance opened the night by firing up the room with, “How we doing, Marines?” and watched as the ballroom answered with cheers and applause. He made a point of marking the night’s significance: “It’s so great to be here to celebrate 250 years of the United States Marine Corps,” and let the recognition of history land hard. The mood was both celebratory and resolute, the kind of event where gratitude meets a promise to act.
He reminded the audience that he stands with them from experience, noting that he is “the very first vice president of the United States to have been a United States Marine.” That line landed like a bridge between the podium and the ranks, giving his words the weight of someone who’s felt the Corps’ discipline firsthand. It’s a perspective that colors his commitment to prioritizing military readiness and honoring veterans.
Vance told the story of stepping onto the yellow footprints at Parris Island as a 19-year-old recruit, crediting the Corps with shaping his life. “The Marine Corps has kept me honest,” he said, and then explained how service gave him purpose, training, and lifelong bonds. Those themes reinforce a conservative view that institutions like the military build character and anchor civic life.
He didn’t shy away from emotion when he reflected on what the Corps has given him personally. “The Marine Corps has done more for me than I can possibly repay,” he said, and pledged to continue honoring the institution while serving as vice president. That pledge was meant to reassure Marines that their sacrifices will be recognized and defended by the people in power.
Balancing reverence with humor, Vance recounted meeting a 99-year-old Iwo Jima veteran who teased him about his facial hair, prompting the line, “I’m the Vice President of the United States, and this guy is busting my b–ls for having a beard.” It was a human moment that lightened the room and underscored the intergenerational bond of the Corps. It also reminded everyone that respect for veterans is personal, not just political.
On policy, Vance delivered a firm promise that America’s leaders will be clear and committed before putting troops in harm’s way. “When we send you off to fight our nation’s battles, we will do it with full confidence,” he said, and added that commanders will be given the tools to win and return home safely. He capped that message with blunt vigor: “We will give you the knowledge and the tools you need to win, and we will make it clear that your job is to kick the enemy’s a– and come home safely.”
He also addressed the changing nature of warfare without surrendering faith in human courage. “Let’s be honest,” he said, “the battlefield has changed in an incredible and profound way… but I happen to believe that the most important war-fighting technology is not artificial intelligence or anything on a computer. The most important war-fighting technology is a well-trained and well-armed United States Marine.” That line pointed to a simple Republican argument: tech is a tool, but people win wars.
The evening closed on a note of gratitude and determination as Vance raised his glass and made a final vow to the Corps. “I will fight every single day to make sure that the next 250 years are just as damn proud as the first 250. Happy Birthday, Marines.” The ballroom responded with thunderous applause and a sea of raised glasses, a fitting send-off for a night that mixed history, humor, and a promise of unwavering support.
