The oldest Marine present, retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Paxton, takes the first bite of cake during a cake-cutting ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Nov. 9. During the yearly ceremony, the oldest Marine takes a bite of cake then passes the cake to the youngest Marine present to symbolize the passing of wisdom from one generation of Marines to the next. - The oldest Marine present, retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Paxton, takes the first bite of cake during a cake-cutting ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Nov. 9. During the yearly ceremony, the oldest Marine takes a bite of cake then passes the cake to the youngest Marine present to symbolize the passing of wisdom from one generation of Marines to the next.