245th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

The observance of the Marine Corps Birthday, on or around the 10th of November each year, is a time honored tradition among Marines. Whether Marines are in the thick of battle or at peace, we always take a moment to observe the birth of our illustrious Corps.

At a minimum Marines generally practice the tradition of cutting and sharing a birthday cake, as well as reading the Commandants’ birthday messages. When possible, Marines prefer to celebrate the birth of our distinguished military organization with a military ball, including all the pageantry, ceremony, and tradition you would expect from a military ball.

Generally the only people who get to experience this event are the Marines and their dates. A few distinguished guests from around the county and globe get the honor to attend the Commandant’s Ball in Washington D.C. Also, each year, our State Department personnel and foreign dignitaries look forward to attending the event hosted by the Marines stationed at the U.S. embassies around the world.

The Marine Corps League, LCpl Jacob D. Hayes Detachment is proud to be bringing this special event to the Collin County community for our 5th year. We open our Ball to the community in order to share this unique event of history, tradition, and ceremony that few get to experience. Please join us in celebrating the Marine Corps’ 245th birthday.

Funds raised from the Marine Corps League, LCpl Jacob D. Hayes Detachment’s Marine Corps Birthday Ball support Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and their families right here in the Collin County Community, as well as other veteran causes/initiatives that promote the ideals of the Marine Corps League.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE: Does your business support veterans? Here is an opportunity to support local veterans while getting to experience a unique military tradition. Find out more about becoming a sponsor today: https://www.collinmcl.org/marine-corps-birthday-ball-sponsors

ATTIRE: The Marine Corps Ball is a black tie event. Civilian guest should attend in formal, black tie attire. Military members should wear their branch’s appropriate dress uniform. Marine Corps League members or members of other veteran organizations may wear the appropriate dress uniform for their organizations.

MEALS: After the ceremony there will be a plated dinner. Guest will need to select the meal they would like when they purchase their tickets so that the detachment can supply the hotel with the number of meals before the event.

CHOICE OF: Due to the pandemic closing the hotel earlier this year, and their ongoing recleaning and training, we have not met with the staff for a tasting yet. We plan to do so in early Sept. We will then be able to provide a full menu

Beef: Short rib

Chicken:

Vegetarian:

*If you have special dietary needs, please let us know when ordering your tickets so that we can make arrangements with the hotel. Dessert will be the traditional Marine Corps Birthday cake

TOYS FOR TOTS: The Marine Corps Birthday Ball falls within the Toys for Tots season and the Marine Corps League, LCpl Jacob D. Hayes Detachment is the local coordinating organization for Toys for Tots within Collin County. We would like to ask each attendee to bring a new unwrapped toy to support of the local Toys for Tots mission. We will have a convenient drop off location during cocktail hour.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: This year faces it’s own challenges when it comes to organizing a Marine Corps Birthday Ball. We are currently planning for a full capacity event. If the state or other entity mandates size restrictions such as 50% (300 people) we and the hotel must abide by them. It is possible that a mandate may go into effect after we have sold that number of tickets. For this reason we are creating a tiered system to determine who will have priority. If you have bought tickets but do not get in due to a mandate we will give you the option to be refunded your money, or make it a donation to support local veterans. As of 8/4/2020 current restrictions are at 50%. Please see not below about seating.

TIERS:

1. Marines involved in the ceremony

2. Marine Corps League Detachment Officers

3. Corporate Sponsors (Higher levels have priority)

4. Individual Sponsors (Higher levels have priority)

5. Regular ticket holders on a first come first serve bases. The earlier you buy your tickets the better off you are.

Again, we are planning on being able to have a full capacity Marine Corps Birthday Ball. We will have Marine Corps Birthday Ball, unless mandates dictate we can not.

The Marine Corps League, LCpl Jacob D. Hayes Detachment reserves the right to adjust seating based on number of tickets sold or other special considerations. This year there are special circumstances to consider, such as social distancing. Although the current seating cart allows for 10 per table there is a likely hood that these seating arrangements will change. We will make every effort in such cases to keep attendees in the approximate location they selected and with the other guests they wished to sit with. Couples will always be kept together.

REGISTER NOW