Lt. Jeff A. Greene cuts into a birthday cake while Seaman Apprentice Douglas W. Pearson stands at attention in front of the crowd during the Navy's 231st Birthday Ceremony at Al Asad, Iraq, Oct. 15. The ceremony was held in the Morale, Welfare and Recreation building at Al Asad to celebrate 231 years since the Continental Congress authorized the establishment of the American Navy on Oct. 13, 1775. Greene, who also filled the role of the guest speaker for the ceremony, is an orthopedic surgery physician assistant with Charlie Surgical Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward). Pearson, who received one of the first pieces of cake for being the youngest sailor at Al Asad, is an avionics technician with Electronic Attack Squadron 137, Carrier Air Wing One, Carrier Strike Group Twelve. Greene is a native of Amherst, Ohio, and Pearson hails from St. James, Minn.