All Marines and friends and relatives of Marines are invited to an annual ceremony to celebrate the 249th birthday of the United States Marine Corps 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at Cedar Beach Park, 24th Street and Hamilton Street, Allentown (between the playground and the Red Cube Sculpture on the east side of Lake Muhlenberg).

The public and U.S. Marines, Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsmen, Fleet Marine Force Chaplains and their families have been gathering every Nov. 10 at the iconic U.S. Marine Corps Memorial in Cedar Beach Park to celebrate the annual birthday of the Marine Corps.

The ceremony is simple, but emotional. Marines and FMF Sailors attend from every modern war, from young to old, active duty, retired and those that did one hitch, all gather in camaraderie and fellowship to hear the inspiring message to all Marines from famed World War I General John A. Lejeune and other modern military leaders to include the current Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.

The ceremony concludes with the traditional cutting of the birthday cake at Cetronia Fire Company Social Club, 18 S. Scenic St., Allentown, where the oldest and the youngest Marine, FMF Corpsman or FMF Chaplain are served the first pieces.

For more information, email doug@graves.org or call 540-842-2341.