Thanks for Making it a Happy 250th Birthday for Marines

MANY thanks to Partners, Sponsors, Board Members, and thousands of attendees from across the country, The Tun Legacy Foundation, in collaboration with Homecoming 250, were honored to share the stories, and commemorate the milestone 250th Marine Corps birthday in the only place possible – Philadelphia – the birthplace of the Corps.

The celebrations and reunions that took place from Friday, November 7 through Tuesday, November 11, 2025, built bonds, grew engagement, and generated pledges of support for The Tun® rebuild, helping to ensure the history and birthplace will be forever preserved for generations to come.

The highlight of the weekend was the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday on November 10, which featured a midnight birthday breakfast, 250th Commemoration Ceremony, a block party that attracted thousands, and two birthday balls – including one at the Museum of the American Revolution focusing on the founding of the Continental Marines in 1775, and one presented by Homecoming 250 in the very ballroom at the Bellevue where the very first Marine Corps Ball was held in 1925.

Medal of Honor Recipients Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.) and Colonel Harvey Curtiss “Barney” Barnum, Jr., USMC (Ret.), and Diana Pope, great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Samuel Nicholas, were the guests of honor. Sergeant Major Harold “Gene” Overstreet, USMC (Ret.) and Lt. Gen. John “Jocko” A. Toolan, Jr., USMC (Ret.) were among the special guests. The oldest and youngest Marines in attendance participated in cake cutting ceremonies on the dinner cruise, as well as at the block party and both birthday balls.

“Everyone came together, and the result was an incredible five days of activities and memories that people will remember for a long time to come,” said Ken Hopper, board member, The Tun Legacy Foundation, and chair of the November 7-11 events. “It was possible thanks to the generosity of so many people, who contributed their time and resources to be part of it all,” Hopper said.

Highlights:

• Guests came from nearly every state (we tracked 49!), Washington, D.C., Australia and the Middle East.
• The Nov. 10 Birthday Block Party at the future site of The Tun® attracted thousands. We could not have done it without our lead and 1775 Club Tent sponsor, Leidos, and primary sponsors MCCS, Power Home Remodeling, Burns Dumpsters and SERVPRO Team Fabiani.
• 500 people attended the Marine Corps 250 Birthday Ball at the Museum of the American Revolution on Nov. 10, thanks to the generous support of Revolve Solutions LLC and USAA.
• 200+ people joined the debut of The Tun Legacy Tour on Nov. 8. Thank you, America250PA and WeVenture Philadelphia!
• 400+ cruised on the Spirit of Philadelphia on Nov. 9. Thank you, Edgesource and Marine Corps Reserve Association!
• 350 people stayed up late to be the first to celebrate at the Midnight Birthday Breakfast from 11 p.m. on Nov. 9 to 1 a.m. on Nov. 10. Thank you, America Hats LLC and VetTix!
• Volunteer historical reenactors participated in every event, including a representation of the 250-year history of the Marine Corps at the Philadelphia Veterans Parade and the parade of uniforms at the Birthday Balls. Thank you, 3-5-0 Girls, Baker Company Marines, and the Pennsylvania Military Museum!
• The Basilone Memorial Foundation provided transportation support.
• Clifford Chance, CSRI, Pennridge Airport, Quandel, and Skepton Construction signed on early to support planning and implementation.

Photos, Videos and Media Coverage:

• TrueToLife Photography captured it all on film. Photos are now posted at the November 10 tab on thetun.org website and on our social media channels.
• Local ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The American Legion Magazine all covered the celebration. Media coverage clips are featured on social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Click here to view the Photo Gallery.

“Throughout the 250th weekend celebration, enthusiasm and momentum for The Tun® rebuild were center stage,” said Pat Dailey, president and founder, The Tun Legacy Foundation. “As we approach Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday, and the end of the year, we express our gratitude to everyone who has committed to being a part of this project. Once The Tun® is open, we will have many more opportunities to honor history, share stories, celebrate milestones, and welcome veterans, Freemasons, history buffs and their families. And we will fulfill our mission of donating all proceeds from operations of The Tun® to veteran, Masonic, and educational charities.”

To become involved as a keystone or plank owner supporter, contact Matt Swindle at mswindle@thetun.org or click here to learn more.