Vice President JD Vance joined Marines and sailors at Camp Pendleton in California on Saturday for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, telling the crowd that the Corps remains ready to fight and ready to win.

The anniversary event included an amphibious assault demonstration on Red Beach, speeches from military leaders and cabinet officials, and a reminder from Vance that he is the first Marine to serve as vice president.

Helicopters roared overhead and amphibious vehicles surged through the surf as Marines charged the beach to open the ceremony. Second Lady Usha Vance accompanied her husband to watch the display while families shaded their eyes and Ospreys thundered overhead.

This year’s ceremony marked a quarter millennium since the Continental Congress first authorized the Marine Corps in 1775.

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General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, told the crowd that what they were seeing was the sound and look of freedom. He described the Corps as America’s "911 force" and warned that Marines must be ready for whatever comes next.

"The next fight is coming," he said. "Marines will be ready. Ready to fight. Ready to win."

"When it matters most, it’s not technology or equipment that wins the day, but the dependability, decisiveness and character of the Marine or sailor who wields it," Smith said. He ended by thanking families and offering a blessing for their sacrifices.

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth then delivered one of the day’s most fiery addresses. A combat veteran himself, he told the Marines that the Corps stood strong when others wavered. 

"I'm not supposed to say this, really not. But I think you guys might be my favorite," Hegseth said.

He tied the Corps to the administration’s broader theme of America First, peace through strength, and common sense at every turn. Hegseth reminded the crowd that while many different faces fill the ranks, unity of mission is the true strength of the Corps. 

"The truth is, your diversity is not your strength. Never has been. Your strength is in your unity of purpose. It's in your shared mission. It's in your oath to the Constitution. It's the bond that turns individuals into single-minded fighting units. You see, you are set apart. You're not civilians. You're devil dogs, leathernecks, United States Marines," the Secretary said, drawing cheers.

The crowd erupted when Vance took the stage. 

"God bless you, Marines," he began, smiling as chants of "Oorah!" echoed back. He quickly reminded them that he's the first Marine to hold the office of vice president. "From one Marine to another, thank you for your service," he said.

"I've also got to give a special shout out to the incredible display that we saw earlier today. It made my heart sing," Vance said. "As your vice president, and it was a testament to the core strength and unbeatable power. It reminded me why I am so proud to have worn the uniform, to be one among your ranks, and to be the very first vice president to have been a United States Marine."

Vance used his speech to honor heroes, remember the fallen and reflect on his own service. He mentioned Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer who served in Afghanistan, Navy corpsman Charles Cram who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima, and Navy aviator Elmer Royce Williams who survived the longest dogfight in American history.

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The vice president mixed solemnity with humor that fellow Marines recognized immediately. He joked about the "E-4 Mafia" and shared a story about a gunnery sergeant who once saved him from signing a 22% interest used car loan by steering him to Navy Federal Credit Union.

"That gunny’s leadership didn’t just save me money," Vance said. "It taught me that Marines look out for each other."

Vance's remarks included a particular story from boot camp. Recruits queued for Catholic or Protestant church services and Vance, referring to himself in the third person as, "recruit," called himself an atheist. 

"Get in the Catholic line," the drill instructor snapped. That punchline, Vance joked, "wouldn’t work in the Biden administration."

Vance also took aim at Democrats in Congress over the government shutdown, promising that the administration would fight to ensure enlisted Marines are paid. 

"We will do everything possible to make sure enlisted Marines get paid," he said. "Political battles in Washington should not come at the expense of troops and their families."

He tied the 250th anniversary back to the Corps’ beginnings at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia in 1775. He named battles that define Marine history: from Belleau Wood and Iwo Jima to the Chosin Reservoir, Khe Sanh, Ramadi, Fallujah and Helmand, and told the audience that every generation of the Corps shares the same common purpose.

"Every single person here bleeds Marine Corps green," Vance said. "It is our common purpose that carries us forward."

Vance reminded East Coast Marines swatting sand fleas at Parris Island that their bond is the same as those climbing the hills of California. He spoke of his pride in wearing the Corps' uniform and closed with words that Marines have heard before but welcomed on their birthday.

"Keep kicking a--. Keep taking names. Semper Fidelis, Marines. Happy 250th birthday. God bless you," he said.

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The ceremony ended with the roar of the crowd as the day carried reminders of sacrifice, grit and unity.

The Department of War, Navy, and Vance's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The Marine Corps offered no further comment to Fox News Digital at this time.

A new investigation has found that many popular protein powders and shakes may contain potentially dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals, including lead — though not all experts agree on how much risk they actually pose.

Consumer Reports tested 23 popular protein products and found more than two-thirds contained more lead per serving than the outlet's experts consider is safe in a single day. Some had more than 10 times what some health experts consider a safe daily amount, according to the report published this week.

"We advise against daily use for most protein powders, since many have high levels of heavy metals and none are necessary to hit your protein goals," said Tunde Akinleye, a chemist and food safety researcher at Consumer Reports.

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Plant-based products — especially those made with pea protein — were the worst offenders, averaging about nine times more lead than dairy- and beef-based counterparts. The investigation included both ready-to-drink shakes and powders intended for blending into smoothies.

Some single servings contained between 400% and 1,600% of Consumers Reports' recommended daily limit for lead, or 4 to 16 times higher than what it considers safe. For those that were slightly lower, experts recommended limiting consumption to once a week.

Several also contained measurable cadmium and arsenic, with cadmium levels in some cases more than twice what public health authorities consider potentially harmful daily exposure.

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Dairy-based protein powders and shakes generally had the lowest amounts of lead, the investigation found, though many still had enough for Consumer Reports' experts to caution against daily use. Lead levels in the beef-based products were about half those of plant-based products on average. Most fell below Consumer Reports' daily level of concern, though some exceeded it, and experts say these were safe to consume "occasionally."

Most of those that they said were better choices for daily consumption were dairy, made using whey, which is a byproduct of the cheese-making process.

No amount of lead is technically safe, the report noted, but the greatest danger comes from repeated or continuous exposure, particularly at high doses, and is especially risky for children, pregnant women and older adults.

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"There’s no reason to panic if you’ve been using any of the products we tested, or if you take protein supplements generally," the report noted. "Many of these powders are fine to have occasionally, and even those with the highest lead levels are far below the concentration needed to cause immediate harm." 

It continued, "That said, because most people don’t actually need protein supplements — nutrition experts say the average American already gets plenty — it makes sense to ask whether these products are worth the added exposure."

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 46 grams per day for women and 56 grams for men. Very active individuals may need nearly twice that amount, but experts say most people can easily meet their needs through food alone — despite the recent craze driving a multibillion-dollar wellness trend marketed as a shortcut to build muscle.

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"The average adult doesn't require protein supplements to hit their daily quota," said Lisa Moskovitz, a registered dietitian and founder of NY Nutrition Group in Manhattan. "Yet, at a time when protein intake is trending and all we seem to hear is about the importance of consuming enough, many of my clients are incorporating more protein powders than ever before."

If you're looking for a protein supplement, Moskovitz recommends whey-based options, not only because of the lower lead levels but also because whey is better absorbed and utilized by the body.

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Still, she and other experts say the alarm may be overblown.

Dr. Andrea Love, a Pennsylvania-based biomedical scientist, slammed the investigation as "fearmongering," noting the lead levels identified were measured in parts per billion and remained far below the daily exposure limits considered safe for adults.

Moskovitz said the evaluation was based on "extremely conservative and controversial parameters." Still, she advised choosing brands that are third-party tested and show lower levels of lead.

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Long-term lead exposure can harm the brain and heart, she noted, while short-term symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, headache and fatigue.

Heavy metals occur naturally in the environment, she added, and even everyday foods such as spices, dried fruit, rice and certain vegetables can contain trace amounts absorbed from soil and water.

"The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements before they hit the market," Moskovitz told Fox News Digital. "That is why it's always advised to be vigilant, aware and consult with a professional if you're unsure whether a product is safe or unsafe."