Marine vets celebrate 250th birthday of US Marine Corps

Elliott Metcalfe, a former public defender in Sarasota, started the annual Marine Corps Birthday Luncheon at Marina Jack in 2003, with a few phone calls. 

At that point, said Tom Smith, who has been involved with the celebration from the beginning, there were about 14 people in attendance. 

However, the event has grown and expanded each year to the point of hosting 100 to 200 people. 

This year, for the celebration of the 250th birthday on Nov. 10, Metcalfe returned as the guest of honor, with his wife Becky receiving the opportunity to cut the birthday cake.

Smith said the celebration shows the bond that Marines share. 

"A lot of these people have nothing in common other than they serve in the Marine Corps," he said. 

He said over the years, Marina Jack has provided a comfortable space for the event, with many of the same staff present from year to year. He said the restaurant has kept the cost relatively low to participants, in a "patriotic gesture" the group appreciated.

"It's word of mouth, it's loosely organized, and it's just a whole bunch of Marines getting together, because that's what we do on the birthday," he said.