ATTENTION MARINE VETERANS and ACTIVE DUTY MARINES:

The traditional U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball, recognizing 232 years of proud and devoted service to our Nation, will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 10, 2007, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Cove Road and Kanner Highway, Stuart. The Birthday Ball is hosted by the Martin County Detachment 1045, of the Marine Corps League, a veteran's organization Chartered by an Act of Congress. Reservations are limited: $85.00 per couple, and $45.00 per person. For additional information please call Glenn Kelly at:(772) 225-0838.

Mission Statement - Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

Meetings - The Martin County Detachment meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second (2 nd) Monday of the month, at the Hobe Sound Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10132, located at 6101 S.E. Dixie Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida. Meetings are conducted by the Detachment's Commandant, Patrick Breen, and following each meeting refreshments are served. Those attending enjoy the warm camaraderie of fellow Marines from many eras of our esteemed history. For further information please contact the Detachment's Senior Vice-Commandant, D. Robin Barker, at 772-232-9232.

History - The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines and Navy FMF Corpsmen, who proudly wear or who have worn the eagle, globe and anchor of the Corps. It takes great pride in crediting its founding in 1923 to World War I hero, then Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune. It takes equal pride in its Federal Charter, approved by An Act of the Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States of America and signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The League is the only Federally Chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country. Since its earliest days, the Marine Corps League has enjoyed the support and encouragement of the active duty and Reserve establishments of the U. S. Marine Corps. Today, the League boasts a membership of nearly 61,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, Reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine Veterans and qualified Navy FMF Corpsmen and is one of the few Veterans Organizations that experiences increases in its membership each year.

The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected National Staff Officers who serve as trustees. The National Board of Trustees coordinates the efforts of 48 department, or state, entities and the activities of over 900 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and overseas. The day-to-day operations of the League are under the control of the National Executive Director with the responsibility for the management and direction of all programs, activities, and affairs of the Marine Corps League as well as supervising the National Headquarters staff.

The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter and from its annual National Convention held each August in different major U.S. cities throughout the nation. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.

PROGRAMS OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

MARINES HELPING MARINES - WOUNDED MARINES PROGRAM

MARINE-4-LIFE/INJURED MARINE SUPPORT PROGRAM

VETERANS AFFAIRS VOLUNTARY SERVICE PROGRAM (VAVS) VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER PROGRAM

YOUNG MARINES OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE TOYS-FOR-TOTS.

U. S. MARINES YOUTH PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE AUXILIARY

MILITARY ORDER OF DEVIL DOGS

ANNUAL CONVENTIONS