Color Guard presents flags during 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
ST. GEORGE — In celebrating the 246th birthday of the Marine Corps this month, area chapters of the Marine Corps League gathered Saturday night for a special birthday party and ball in St. George.
More than 150 U.S. Marines convened in the Garden Room at the Dixie Center in St. George for the annual birthday ball, a tradition that has endured in one form or another since the day the resolution officially forming the Continental Marines was approved in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1775. The first recorded birthday ball was held in 1925 in Philadelphia.
Every year, the Marines celebrate the event with a great deal of pomp and time-honored traditions during a gala sponsored by Utah Dixie Detachment 1270, Marine Corps League, William G. Fortune, spokesman for the detachment said.
Several people were honored for the length and bravery of their service, while others were recognized who recently passed away.
A traditional Marine Corps cake ceremony honored the eldest attending Marine, D’Arcy Grisier, and the youngest serving Marine, Manny Maez, with the first bite of cake, a concept that symbolizes the passing of traditions to the next generation of Marines.
Danny Greathouse, of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division, and commander of the Vietnam Veterans organization was the guest speaker amid a crowd of veterans that included all other branches of military service who were also in attendance.
Photo gallery
More than 150 gather for 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Sgt. Danny Greathouse, U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Div., and Commander of the
local Vietnam Veterans Association is guest speaker during Marine Corps Birthday Ball held in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Color Guard presents flags during 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Marines bringing birthday cake into dining hall during 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball held in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Marines cutting birthday cake during 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Color Guard presents flags during 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
The Marine Corps celebrating 246 years of service to the nation during birthday ball held in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
The Marine Corps celebrating 246 years of service to the nation during birthday ball held in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
A "fallen comrade" table is set up near the entrance of the dining hall during 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Marine cutting birthday cake during 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Awards and memorabilia are presented during 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Awards presented during 246th annual Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Furry four-legged guest attends 246th annual Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
More than 150 gather for 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
More than 150 gather for 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Table is set up with memorabilia during 246th annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
Awards presented during 246th annual Corps Birthday Ball in St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Bill Fortune, St. George News
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cody Blowers was raised in South San Francisco, California. A 2013 graduate of Colorado Technical University, Cody earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in paralegal studies. Through the course of her academic studies she discovered that writing is her true passion, and she is committed to providing credible, integrated news coverage. Cody joined St. George News in 2015, and when she’s not busy chasing the news, she can generally be found chasing her young granddaughter, Kali.