Bethlehem Detachment 284 and Lehigh Valley Detachment 296 of the Marine Corps League is holding a 248th birthday celebration for the U.S. Marine Corps 4-5 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Marine Corps Memorial at the east end of Cedar Beach Park at Hamilton and Ott streets, Allentown. This rain-or-shine free event is open to the public.

This celebration is a simple, heartfelt event to help attendees remember what being a Marine is about and to remember our fallen comrades. Participants can expect to hear the national anthem and a message from the commandant of the Marine Corps and meet some active-duty Marines in their dress blues and some Marine Corps veterans who try to serve the community and keep their traditions alive.

Following the ceremony, there will be a birthday cake-cutting ceremony at Christopher’s Restaurant, also known as Thyme 2 Dine, 1519 Greenleaf St., Allentown.