Marines celebrate Corps' 248th birthday in Minden

Around 50 people celebrated the 248th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps at the CVIC Hall in Minden on Friday morning.

“It was a big turnout, from lance corporals to two- and three-star generals,” Senior Judge and Marine veteran Steve McMorris said. “It was very well organized.”

McMorris said the turnout included a World War II veteran.

Organized by Steve Miller, Ben Stryfeller and Destiny Perkins, the celebration is a long tradition among Douglas County Marines.

Oldest Marine Bob Hammond cut the cake in the ceremony as youngest Marine Dan Fierle awaited a piece.

Today marks 105 years since the end of World War I, where the Battle of the Belleau Wood that June where Marines halted the German offensive.

“The deadliest weapon in the world is a United States Marine and his rifle,” Gen. ‘Blackjack’ Pershing said of the battle.

Because Veterans Day fell on a Saturday this year, Friday was the holiday and service clubs took advantage of the day to display flags.

Parades are scheduled for 11 a.m. in Virginia City and Reno, while the Douglas County Historical Society will observe Armistice Day at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center.

The former Douglas County High School was only around a year old when word went out in Carson Valley that the Great War was over.

At 8 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, a Monday, Minden Station Agent H.A. Meder received “a flash over the telegraph wire that Germany had signed the armistice and fighting would cease at 11 o’clock,” according to the front page of the Nov. 15, 1918, edition of The Record-Courier.