By Suzanne Stewart, The Pocahontas Times
MARLINTON, W.Va. — The Opera House in Marlinton went from being an entertainment venue to being a military hall last Saturday for the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Retired Marines, their families and families of fallen Marines gathered to honor the branch of military they served with bravery and with honor.
The event was organized by Duke Fry and Todd Gay – the first a Wheeling transplant to the county; the second, a native of Marlinton.
Gay opened the ceremony, explaining that on November 1, 1921, John A. LeJeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, directed that a reminder of the honorable service of the Corps be published by every command and to all Marines around the globe on the birthday of the Corps.
The publication was read by Fry and is as follows:
“On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name ‘Marine.’ In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.
“The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s history.
“From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long eras of tranquility at home.
“Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
Read more: https://pocahontastimes.com/marine-corps-250th-celebrated-at-opera-house/