The Northeast Nebraska Marine Corps Association (NNMCA) will be celebrating the 247th birthday of the United States Marine Corps on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Norfolk VFW Post, 316 West Braasch Avenue in Norfolk.
A catered roast beef dinner will be served for $20 per person. This is payable to the NNMCA and can be mailed to Chair Bud Neel, 57576 847th Road, Wayne Neb. 68787-7080. Doors will open at 1700 hours with the banquet at 1800 hours.
Guest speaker will be Scott Stanton, who served in the Marine Corps and currently is the Veteran Service Officer for Cedar County.
The banquet is open to any active duty or Veteran Marine, spouse and parents. NNMCA Officers include Chair Bud Neel, Wayne; Vice Chair Steve Haselhorst, Pierce; Treasurer Ron Albin, Norfolk; and Public Relations and Secretary Sandra Hansen, Wayne.
The evening will include a raffle and anyone wishing to donate an item or two is asked to contact Chair Bud Neel with details of the donation. Please RSVP of your attendance to Chair Neel no later than Saturday, Nov. 5. Tickets will be $25 at the door.
The Marine Corps birthday cake-cutting ceremony is important to all Marines, as it is an annual renewal of each Marine’s commitment to the Corps. The birthday cake is traditionally cut with the Mameluke sword. The first piece of cake is given to the Guest of Honor. Traditionally, the second piece is given to the oldest Marine, then handing the third piece to the youngest Marine signifying the passing of experience and knowledge from the old to the young of our Corps.
The Marine Corps Birthday is one of the biggest social events of the year for leathernecks all over the world. On Nov. 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Marines. Congress commissioned thirty-one year old Samuel Nicholas, a well-known Philadelphian, as captain of the fledgling force of Continental Marines.
From Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Nicholas raised two battalions of Marines as directed and began the long illustrious history of the United States Marine Corps. Every year since 1925 the founding of the Marine Corps has been celebrated with a Birthday Ball or banquet.
