To commemorate the 244th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, the local Marine Corps League Detachment will host a traditional birthday celebration including the cutting of the cake, flag presentation and the annual birthday message from the commandant. Keynote speaker will be Gold Star Father Michael Anderson Sr., whose son Michael Anderson Jr. was killed in action in Iraq in 2004.

The event will be held on the actual birth date, Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Stanislaus Veterans Center, 3500 Coffee Road, Modesto and includes a dinner of either chicken or beef, live music and dancing and a fundraising raffle to help support the league’s many causes such as scholarships and area youth groups.

Tickets are $30 per person or $50 a couple but there is a $5 discount for tickets purchased before Oct. 31 and is free to active duty servicemen. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for socializing and no host bar with dinner being served at 7 p.m.

For tickets or more information, contact Mike Pelucca at 209-324-2977 or Bill Johnson at 209-896-5057 or go to www.mcl019.org.