The 242nd Birthday of the Marine Corps is Celebrated

On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name "Marine". On November 10 this year the United States Marine Corps celebrated the 242nd anniversary of its being established at the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia where the first recruits signed on. Every year on November 10, referred to as the Birthday of the Marine Corps, Marines everywhere celebrate with a traditional ball and cake-cutting ceremony. This year the Marines of the Gen. Smedley D. Butler Detachment 741, Marine Corps League, headquartered in Newtown Square, celebrated with its Annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Saturday evening November 18. The Ball was held at the Paxon Hollow Country Club.

At the opening of the celebration, the Gen. Butler Detachment Honor Guard marched into the ballroom in their red blazer uniforms carrying the flags of the United States of America and of the United States Marine Corps. All stood up to honor the flags and our country.

In 1952 the celebrations were formalized and standardized by Marine Corps Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., outlining the cake cutting ceremony, which would enter the Marine Drill Manual in 1956. By tradition, the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, who in turn hands it off to the youngest Marine present, symbolizing the old and experienced Marines passing their knowledge to the new generation of Marines. The celebration also includes a reading of Commandant John Lejeune’s 1921 Marine Corps Order 47, republished every year, as well as a message from the current Commandant.

In addition, there was the traditional Small Table. This is a single table set for one person who is missing. This is a way of symbolizing that many members of our Armed Forces are missing from the celebration. Today they are commonly called POW's or MIA's, but the Marines call them patriots.

The Guest Speaker was George March, a Sentinel and a Relief Commander at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Paxon Hollow Country Club provided a sumptuous meal for the members of the Gen. Smedley D. Butler Detachment and their guests

The Gen. Butler Detachment provides educational programs for children, historically relevant exhibits in libraries and museums, Graveside Honor Ceremonies, and provides assistance to wounded veterans and their families.

The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923 by WWI Marine hero and then Maj. Gen. and Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, John A. Lejeune. Today the League boasts of a membership in excess of 76,000. Its sponsored programs include Marines Helping Marines, the Youth Physical Fitness Program, the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League, the Veterans Service Officer Program, the Marine Corps League Auxiliary, the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program, the Adopt-a-Highway program, and several scholarships.

The above photos, top to bottom:

1. The Marine Corps 242nd Birthday Cake

2. Piece of cake handed from George Boyagian to the youngest Marine present by Marine Jim Herbst

3. Piece of cake handed to George Boyagian, the oldest Marine present, by Marine Jim Herbst

4. The Small Table reserved for missing military personnel.

5. Guest Speaker George March.

6. Marine Bob Spano and his wife Florence

7. Marines Jim Mulhern and George Boyagian seated and Marine Corps Leaguer, Air Force veteran, and Marine father Wayne Williams standing..