248th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

The Marine Corps League Detachment 1402 is honored to host the 248th Birthday Ball. Join us for an evening of commemoration and celebration with cake cutting ceremony, formal dinner, dancing and music!

Guest Speaker Major General Melvin G. Spiese

Location: At the National Infantry Museum 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus, GA 31903, off of Fort Benning Road and South Lumpkin Road 

Date: Friday November 10, 2023

Time: 5:30 pm  –  11:30 pm

Tickets: $75 (Paid by Cash or Check, Use Button below to Pay by Credit Card* + $4 Transaction Fee)

Ticket Sales end 31 October, 2023 no exceptions. Ticket Purchases can be made by check (made out to The Marine Corps League Detachment 1402)

CANCELLATION POLICY: 72 hours written notice required for refund.

Point of Contact for ticket purchases: Brent Eaton 706-577-4763 eaton.brent@gmail.com

Please email eaton.brent@gmail.com at least 72 hours before the event if you need to cancel.

Dress: The Marine Corps Ball is a semi-formal event. Civilian guest should attend in semi-formal, dress suit, 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 or dress suit for their organizations.

Bar: Credit Card Only 

Parking: A Parking lot is located in front of the museum. 

Lodging: Limited rooms are available at the Hampton Inn 2870 S Lumpkin Rd, Columbus, GA 31903 (across from National Infantry Museum) Phone: 706-660-5550

About this Event

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, Columbus Detachment 1402 is proud to be bringing this special event to the community for our first time this year hosting the event. 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' birthday.

Funds raised from the Marine Corps League Detachment 1402's Marine Corps Birthday Ball support Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and their families right here in the local 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 eaton.brent@gmail.com