249th Marine Corps Ball: SgtMaj Carlton Kent, USMC (Ret), 16th SMMC, October 26th, 2024

Celebrate the 249th Marine Corps Birthday Ball with Wine Country Marines!

Wine Country Marines is proud to support and serve active duty service members, veterans, and their families, not just in California but also beyond. Our annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball is an extraordinary event that plays a crucial role in raising funds to aid active duty and military veterans during their times of crisis. From providing assistance with medical expenses to aiding families of wounded service members with hotel accommodations or offering relief during wildfires, Wine Country Marines is committed to being there not only for our fellow Marines but also service members from other branches and their loved ones when they need it most.

About the Marine Corps Birthday Ball:

The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is more than just a celebration; it is a reflection of the storied history and cherished traditions of the Marine Corps. It offers a unique opportunity to honor the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future of this legendary fighting force—the most loyal, feared, revered, and professional in the world.

The tradition of celebrating the Marine Corps' birthday on November 10th dates back to 1921 when General John A. Lejeune, the 13th Commandant, issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. This order not only detailed the history and mission of the Corps but also directed that it be read to all Marines annually on November 10th to commemorate the Corps' founding. What began as simple readings soon evolved into grander celebrations as Marine commands across the globe honored and marked the occasion in various ways.

In 1923, the Marine Barracks at Ft. Mifflin, Pennsylvania, organized a formal dance, while the Marines at the Washington Navy Yard held a mock battle on the parade ground. Even at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Marine baseball team took part in the celebrations, triumphing over a Cuban team with a score of 9 to 8.

The first formal Marine Corps Birthday Ball, as we recognize it today, took place in 1925 in Philadelphia. Distinguished guests, including the Commandant and the Secretary of War, attended this memorable event. Prior to the Ball, General Lejeune himself unveiled a memorial plaque at Tun Tavern, the historic birthplace of the Marine Corps, further enhancing the significance of the occasion. Since then, the Birthday Ball has evolved and grown, becoming an iconic tradition within the Marine Corps community.

Throughout the years, the Birthday Ball has taken on new dimensions, with Commandant General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. formalizing cherished ceremonies like the cake-cutting ceremony and the reading of the Commandant's birthday message to the Corps. The cake-cutting ceremony symbolizes the passing of tradition from the oldest to the youngest Marine, embodying the continuity and unity of the Marine Corps brotherhood across generations.

This Year’s Celebration:

The Wine Country Marines Birthday Ball is a true destination ball, held annually in the beautiful barrel room of the Jacuzzi Family Winery. This year, we are honored to have SgtMaj Carlton Kent, the 16th SgtMaj of the Marine Corps, as our Guest of Honor. Our ball has hosted notable Guests of Honor such as Generals Joseph Dunford, James Mattis, PX Kelly, Peter Pace, James Amos, and General James Conway, making it a prestigious event.

Join us on this momentous occasion as we gather to honor our shared history, the values that define us, and the unwavering commitment of Marines to uphold the highest standards of service, honor, and courage. Regardless of where you are stationed or deployed, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball remains an unyielding testament to the indomitable spirit of the United States Marine Corps. Let's come together and proudly exclaim, "Happy Birthday, Marine!"

Semper Fidelis,

James Brown

Chairman