Join TC's Too For An Epic Birthday Toast To The U.S. Marine Corps

OAK LAWN, IL — From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, hundreds of Marines are expected to pass through TC’s Too in Oak Lawn, Tuesday, Nov. 10, to toast the U.S. Marine Corps on its 251st birthday.

The few and the proud, along with their friends and family, are invited to stop by TC’s Too, 9906 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, when the bar opens at 2 p.m. for a drink or a beer. The Emerald Society Bagpipes and Drums will be making the rounds and are expected to show up between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. when the program starts.

While there are birthday toasts at other area venues, TC’s Too claims to have the only celebration organized by actual Marines. The birthday bash begins with the reading of a special message by USMC Commandant General Eric M. Smith.

There will be prizes for the oldest and youngest Marine in attendance, topped off by a birthday toast. And because there is no such things as an ex-Marine, a pair of old Marines—John Russell and James Dunn—will be cutting the birthday cake with a saber. Russell will also be doing master of ceremonies duties.

The tradition of the Marine Corps birthday party was started over 30 years ago by Joseph Olson, the original owner of TC’s at 97th Street and Cicero, before relocating to TC’s Too, at Southwest Highway and 99th Street in Oak Lawn.

Joseph’s son, attorney Robert Olson, is promising a Marine birthday salute that would make his father proud.

“My dad started the tradition,” Bob Olson said. “He was in the service, but not the Marines. He had a lot of friends who were Marines, so that’s how it got started.”

The Marines have long maintained a reputation as an elite amphibious fighting force. Founded as the Continental Marines on Nov. 10, 1775, the USMC is the second-oldest branch of the U.S. military. Preceded by the Army by only a month.

The Marines traditionally mark its birthday in November, celebrating its 1775 origin with the Second Continental Congress.