When Marines from Marine Aviation Training Support Group 53 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station threw a birthday party on Nov. 10, about 500 people came, including the Marine Corps League, Skagit Valley Detachment 1043 and Whidbey Island Detachment 1210.

They dined on prime beef and crab-stuffed salmon, and why not? The Marine Corps turns 231 years old just once. A deluxe night out is what every Marine who goes into harm’s way deserves.

The setting was the Northern Lights Casino. A birthday message from Commandant Gen. MICHAEL W. HAGEE was read in which he praised those fighting the war on terror in difficult and dangerous environments.

USMC Reserve (Retired) Maj. Gen. JOHN F. CRONIN, whose last assignment was as Commanding General of the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Va., was guest speaker.

As is the custom, the youngest Marine present, Lance Cpl. M. J. Bongiorno (June 14, 1987) and the oldest Marine present, Sgt. Larry Schopf (March 4, 1912) escorted the birthday cake.

The military services changed the pace of deployments after the 9/11 attacks, which meant sending more active duty and reserve “Soldiers of the Sea” to trouble spots around the world. Wherever you may go, Godspeed, Marines!

Pirates plunder …

I could swear it was CAPT. JACK SPARROW himself, stepped down from the big screen to cavort for a day in downtown Oak Harbor.

And he wasn’t alone. It seems the entire cast of “Pirates of the Caribbean” had gone AWOL and showed up at CARLA’S SHEAR INSPIRATION on Bayshore Drive. Did I say it was on Oct. 31, Halloween?

Clients arriving for their appointments were magically transported to the Black Pearl, as reminders of the pirate ship hung from the walls. When they got their sea legs, they were greeted by hair stylists VALERIE BRYANT, as Jack Sparrow; SUSAN BAZA, Davy Jones; and PAM TYHUIS and MERRY D’ALESSANDRO, both as Elizabeth.

Outrageously endowed wenches were JULIA KELLOGG, MELANIE McCARCARTHY, KIRSTEN DAVIS and SHARON SMITH. NANCY VAN DAM dressed as a lady pirate.

BRYANT got the most votes for best costume and makeup as the likable marauder Sparrow.

“It cost $1 to vote,” she said. “The winner gets a big ego and Pregnancy Care Center gets a nice donation of $500!”

Besides making us look good, the professionals at Carla’s simply cannot pass up a chance to help in the community.

No hoopla for her …

If you’ve been to a Navy squadron homecoming, change of command or Veteran’s Day ceremony, you’ve seen her — the dark-haired beauty with intense blue eyes who can wrangle a camera half her size.

That’s K.C. POHTILLA and photography is what she does. Some time ago, she explained it was her way of thanking Navy people for the many sacrifices they make to ensure our freedom.

She gamely covers these events even when her body tells her to take a day off, generously donating her time, money and talent.

It is fitting that on Sept. 28, REAR ADM.

WILLIAM FRENCH, Commander, U.S. Navy Region Northwest, recognized her as 2006 Friend of the Navy for her extraordinary support.

K.C. shuns publicity and would rather stay out of the spotlight. But when it’s official news from the admiral’s office, everyone needs to know.

Early learning …

New parents pretty much keep baby in bubble wrap for a year or so and only then do they think about daycare. By then, the good spots may be filled.

ABBIE MARTIN planned ahead. “As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I put Logan on the wait list at the Armed Services YMCA,” said the smart mommy. Now 3, her little boy feels right at home when greeted by Miss Kathy and Miss Trina each morning.

How quickly he has grown. He hardly ever cries when kissing mommy goodbye. Like a tiny captain of industry, he heads to his coat hook and neatly stores his things.

Oak Harbor’s growth spurt has meant a longer wait to place a child with reliable, certified providers. Daycare can cost from $300 to $600 a month.

YMCA director BUTCH LAURION and his wife KATHY care for 65 children a day and have been at it for 15 years, so they know what works. The facility on Pioneer Way offers structured lessons tailored to pre-schoolers in a cozy classroom setting.

Adults genuinely care about the children and the children naturally want to behave — even when no one is looking. Call 675-2771 or stop by.

What are you giving thanks for this year? Do you have a story to tell? Share it with me and our readers. Call 675-6611 or write lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com.