Odessa Marines celebrate 248th birthday of U.S. Marine Corps

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - The Marines’ birthday is a little less than a week away, but local Marines celebrated the 248th birthday Saturday at the Cave in Odessa.

The United States Marine Corps was formed on November 10, 1775 by the Second Continental Congress. In 1921, Major General John Lejeune marked the day as a day to observe the anniversary.

It’s an important celebration for Marines to observe, no matter what.

Marines have been celebrating the anniversary at the Cave for the last 15 years.

They celebrate on the Saturday before the 10th so that more people and families can join, bond and celebrate a shared experience.

The celebration included a barbecue lunch and a formal cake cutting by local Marine recruiters.

Some recent enlistments, or poolees as they are called, also attended the celebration. It was a chance for them to see the comradery that comes with being a Marine.

Lynn Reese had many old Marine keepsakes on display that were breathtaking. Much of it is gear that he received at boot camp in the 1950s.

The true birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps is on Friday, November 10.

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