Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1838 will honor the life and legacy of General Alfred M. Gray, Jr. (1928–2024)—the 29th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, —at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Spring Lake Manor (415 NJ-71, Spring Lake, NJ). The event commemorates the 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, founded on November 10, 1775, and will spotlight General Gray’s enduring impact on Marine warfighting doctrine, leadership, and professional military education.
“General Al Gray embodied the very best of the Marine Corps—humility, grit, and uncompromising devotion to his Marines,” said Robert Beavis, member, VFW Post 1838 and Jersey Shore Marine Corps League. “As we celebrate the Corps’ birthday, we also celebrate the leader who modernized our warfighting philosophy and reminded us that every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman.”
General Gray served as Commandant from 1987 to 1991, institutionalizing maneuver warfare through FMFM-1: Warfighting and establishing Marine Corps University to strengthen professional military education across all ranks. Known as the “Marines’ Marine,” he emphasized people over hardware, decentralized leadership, and readiness—principles that continue to guide the Corps and inspire leaders in every field.
“General Gray’s legacy is more than history—it is a living doctrine,” said Colonel R Beavis, USMC (Ret.), Ball Chair. “We’re proud to honor General Gray and the Marines who carry his standards forward every day.”
Event Highlights:
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Date/Time: Monday, November 10, 2025, 17:00 (5 PM) – 21:00 (9 PM)
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Location: Spring Lake Manor, 415 NJ-71, Spring Lake, NJ
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Ceremonies: Traditional cake-cutting, reading of General Lejeune’s and CMC’s message, tribute to General Gray, colors & honors. Music provided by JSOUL
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Tickets/Sponsorship: 80.00 per person; donations/sponsors desired. Venmo @colbeaver
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Attire: military dress/ suit or sport jacket with collared shirt.
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Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1838, 30 Ridge Ave, Manasquan, serves veterans, service members, and families, providing camaraderie, advocacy, and support programs that honor service and empower successful transitions.
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Pay by Venmo to: @colbeaver
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All payments due by 1 November 2025
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Advise by email the full name of attendees to: 250usmc@gmail.com
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Invitees: USMC and USN Corpsman
250th Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 6PM-11PM
Cocktail hour from 6PM-7PM
Cost $75 per person / Open to the Public!
Razberry’s Banquet Center
834 NJ-12, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Join the Hunterdon County Bulldogs Marine Corps League for our 250th Marine Corps Birthday Formal Ball with cocktail hour, plated dinner, birthday ceremony, dessert, DJ, dancing & open bar. Backdrop available for taking pictures in your formal wear! Please note, this event is open to all, not just Marines!
All tickets are first come, quantities are limited.
Ball ticket deadline: November 8, 2025
Email birthdayball@hcmcl.org with any questions.
Birthday Ball Celebration Program “AD” Book Advertising Details:
Inside Cover $150.00
Back Cover $150.00
Full Page $100.00
1/2 Page $50.00
1/4 Page $25.00
Business Card $20.00
Booster Name $5.00
NOTE: Inside cover, back cover, first and last page are first come first served so reserve your ad ASAP! Please email first to see if they are still available or if you have any questions or need assistance with your ad.
Please send your “Ad” via email to Chris Soldano at: christopher.soldano@hcmcl.org
Adbook deadline: November 1, 2025
1900-2300 dinner and program
Below are the scheduled dates for our upcoming in-person Department meetings, all of which will be held at the Sea Girt Facility. The start time has changed to 9:30AM. Please note that we might be in a different room depending on the date.
Meeting Schedule 2025-26
- September 7th in Auditorium
- November 23rd in Auditorium
- January 25th in Auditorium
- March 8th in Auditorium
- March 14th – Leadership School (Room Location TBD)
Below are the scheduled dates for our upcoming in-person Department meetings, all of which will be held at the Sea Girt Facility. The start time has changed to 9:30AM. Please note that we might be in a different room depending on the date.
Meeting Schedule 2025-26
- September 7th in Auditorium
- November 23rd in Auditorium
- January 25th in Auditorium
- March 8th in Auditorium
- March 14th – Leadership School (Room Location TBD)
Below are the scheduled dates for our upcoming in-person Department meetings, all of which will be held at the Sea Girt Facility. The start time has changed to 9:30AM. Please note that we might be in a different room depending on the date.
Meeting Schedule 2025-26
- September 7th in Auditorium
- November 23rd in Auditorium
- January 25th in Auditorium
- March 8th in Auditorium
- March 14th – Leadership School (Room Location TBD)
Join us at New Jersey’s only Historic Golf Hotel, the Seaview, in Galloway for the 2026 Department of New Jersey Convention on April 23-26th. For more than a century, this iconic hotel on the Jersey Shore near Atlantic City has hosted presidents, rock stars and golf’s greatest champions—and now we’re excited to be back at the Seaview again for our 2026 Department Convention!
To make your hotel reservation by phone, please call the new Hyatt Reservation number: 609-652-1800 and press Option 1 for reservations
If the reservation agent does not immediately locate rooms under the Marine Corps League block, please provide the group code: G-MARI.
To make your reservation online: Visit the Hyatt site at: https://www.hyatt.com/loyalty/en-US and put in the Seaview Hotel and our convention dates. Use the group code G-MARI to see our rooms and rates.
All reservations must be made with the hotel by March 24, 2026. You must give them a credit card number; however, the room will not be charged to your account. Be sure to get a confirmation number.
Ad Book Registration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dept-of-nj-ad-book
Convention Registration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/98th-department-convention-delegate-registration
Banquet Registration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dept-of-nj-banquet-tickets
Sponsor and Vendor Registration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dept-of-nj-convention-sponsor-and-vendor-form
For more information, visit the Department Convention page.
The 2026 Northeast Division Conference will feature Division business sessions, leadership development programming, and concurrent breakout discussions designed to strengthen Detachments and Departments across the Northeast. Early registration is encouraged to assist with planning and space allocation.
For more information, visit the Northeast Division Conference webpage.
Download the Northeast Division MOY and AOY protocol.
Our next Four Chaplains Award Ceremony will be held on June 20th at 10:00 am.
The annual Father Washington – Four Chaplains Award Ceremony is being hosted by Father Washington’s parish, St. Stephen’s Church, located at 141 Washington Avenue in Kearny (corner of Kearny Ave and Washington Ave).
If you haven’t seen the Four Chaplains Award Ceremony, it’s worth coming to support the winners and learn more about the program.
This is a great opportunity to recognize those in our community who do so much to help others!
I hope to see you there.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Paul Thompson at (201-320-3210) or email paulcfp@aol.com.