I attended this November 13th at the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion.
It's quite an honor to get together with Marines from World War II all the way up present wars.
Like in the headline, this is the 27th year this has happened. The original breakfast took place at Hoff's Kitchen in Grayslake, Illinois, on November 10, 1983 when 13 Marines met for S.O.S.,eggs and coffee. And that is just what was on the menu last Saturday.
We were celebrating the 235th birthday of the USMC, which started November 10, 1775, as the Continental Marines.
Our guests of honor were the five World War II and 8 Korean War veterans as well as six active duty Marines who sat with the Korean War guys.
After a prayer, the colors were posted, the whole Marine Corps Hymn sung (and it's a lot more than the one verse usually sung. Fortunately, the words were printed on the pamphlet so I could sing.)and then we had the Commandant's address which this year spotlighted the Korean War and specifically the Chosin reservoir where the Marines pulled off an unbelievable withdrawal in the face of overwhelming numbers. In the course of it, 4400 Marines became casualties while the enemy suffered over 37,000.
One thing I always like is the cake ceremony where it is cut with a sword and the oldest Marine gives a piece to the youngest to signify the continuation of the Corps from one generation to the next. This year the oldest was 85 and youngest 24. The oldest had a Marine Corps jacket with the words
Chesty's
A Co.
1 Battalion
1 Regt.
1 Division
This was also the 63rd year the Corps has sponsired the Toys for Tots program.
OOO-RAH!! --Cooter
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