The abundance of Semper Fi bumper stickers on cars and trucks in the parking lot of The Club at Point West last Saturday evening left no doubt that folks were in the right spot for the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball, celebrating the 241st anniversary of the venerated branch of the United States Armed Forces.
The event, hosted locally by the Indian River Detachment of the Marine Corps League, commemorates the resolution passed by the Continental Congress on Nov. 10, 1775, marking the founding of the Marines.
“This event happens worldwide,” said John Michael Matthews, past president of the Veterans Council. “All of this is made up of the veterans’ community and all those organizations. This event is the biggest military ball in the county this year.”
More than 120 guests attended in their best formalwear, particularly the Marines, whose medals shone brilliantly, highlighting the pomp and splendor of the evening.
“We’re 241 years old and we still look good,” joked Victor Diaz. “We are Marines always and forever and we came together tonight because we love the camaraderie. This is our night as Marines but all year round we are veterans.”
“All Marines have the right to be here, and we say the more the merrier,” said Cpl. Heath Harris, a Marine Corps reservist. “The crescendo of the evening is the cake cutting, in which I will take part. It is the highest privilege for so many reasons. It gives me goosebumps just talking about it.”
The cutting of the birthday cake is one of the most time-honored of the ceremonial acts, with the oldest among them passing a slice to the youngest in a symbolic gesture of passing along experience and knowledge to the newest generation of Marines. On Saturday, Carmine “Yank” Yannetelli, 93, followed tradition by passing the piece to Cpl. Harris.
Other pageantry included a recitation of the Marine Corps Order 47 by retired Lt. Col. Rip Wieler, and the Presentation of Colors. Dave Phillips rang a bell for each comrade who had recently passed away, and current League Commandant Dwight Harris (no relation) explained the poignant vignette of the always set, but empty table at all military balls – a stark reminder of those still POW/MIA.
Edna Wieler said she enjoyed taking in all the pageantry as she watched her husband from a short distance, adding, “I love seeing him in his uniform. It just fills me with pride and patriotism and it still gives me chills after 26 years.”