Photos by Mary Alice Murphy
Marine Corps 244th birthday 111019
Marine Corps Birthday 111019
The ceremonial cake
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Danna and Robert Lopez.
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Lots of tables full of people celebrating
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Al Gamboa served as moderator
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Dean Bearup and George Morrison serve as color guard
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Angelica Padilla sings The Star-Spangled Banner
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Gaffney-Oglesby Martine Corps League Detachment 1328 Chaplain Robert Lopez gives the invocation
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
The ceremonial cake is brought to the front
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Master Gunnery Sgt. Dean Bearup reads Major General John A. Lejeune's Message from 1921, the first official birthday celebration.
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Major Tom Holman reads the present Commandant of the Marine Corps' message.
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Frank Donohue points out the items on the P.O.W.-M.I.A table to honor those not at the event.
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Bearup cuts the cake with the ceremonial sword
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
The oldest Marine present, Jerry Miller, takes the first bite of cake
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
The second bite is eaten by the youngest Marine present, Luz Ponce.
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
The kitchen and serving crew at the event at the WNMU cafeteria
Marine Corps 244th Birthday 111019
Guest of Honor and keynote speaker 22 year-Navy veteran speaks.
On Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 held it's annual birthday ball. This year marked the 244th birthday of the Marine Corps. The event is always full of tradition, including reading the first official Marine Corps birthday message, the current commandant's message, honoring those who were or are prisoners of war or missing in action, the ceremonial cake, which honors the oldest and youngest Marines present, and a speech by the guest of honor.