CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Vice President JD Vance, the first Marine to ever hold the office, returned to his roots this Saturday, attending a major event at Camp Pendleton as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration.
Titled “America’s Marines 250: From Sea to Shore – A Review of Amphibious Strength,” the event brought together more than 15,000 Marines, Sailors, veterans, and their families in a full-scale tribute to the Corps’ legacy.
Vice President Vance, a former combat correspondent with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing who deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, delivered remarks during the event, which also featured a live Amphibious Assault Demonstration and ceremonial review of the Marine Corps’ amphibious capabilities.
Joining Vance on stage was Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, and Marine Corps Commandant General Eric M. Smith.
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Vice President JD Vance, second left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) -
Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Vice President JD Vance, center left, and second lady Usha Vance, center right, watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Vice President JD Vance, from third left, and second lady Usha Vance watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Vice President JD Vance, from top right, and second lady Usha Vance watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Vice President JD Vance, second left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) -
Vice President JD Vance, right, and second lady Usha Vance, second left, watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
U.S. Vice President JD Vance carries his daughter as he and his son Ewan step off of Air Force Two upon arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) -
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, second right in front, second lady Usha Vance, left, and their three children are greeted upon arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) -
Vice President JD Vance, standing second left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) -
Marines perform a demonstration as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Marines perform a demonstration as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Vice President JD Vance, second left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) -
Vice President JD Vance, from right, and second lady Usha Vance participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) -
Marines perform in a demonstration with hovercraft and the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Vice President JD Vance, left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) -
Vice President JD Vance, center right, greets Marines during a demonstration to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Vice President JD Vance, from right, and second lady Usha Vance greet Marines during a demonstration to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Marines perform a demonstration as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) -
Marines perform a demonstration as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches to mark the upcoming Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The event is part of the yearlong Marines250 campaign, honoring 250 years of service and sacrifice since the Corps’ founding in 1775. Saturday’s celebration aims to highlight the unity and warrior spirit that have defined the Marine Corps across generations.
Stay with FOX 5/KUSI for continuing coverage from Camp Pendleton.
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