At the bottom of a press release, as part of the letterhead template, there's a statement that reads, "Join us at 19:00 on the third Thursday of each month."

Even when retired, Marines use military time. Once a Marine, always a Marine they say.

So, to set the record straight, the U.S. Marine Corps birthday ball will be celebrated at 17:00 hours on Nov. 9 at the Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau.

That's 5 p.m. civilian time.

The local Marine Corps League, called the Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment No. 1081, will put on the event, which organizers say will easily be the biggest Marine birthday celebration in Cape Girardeau. Organizers are expecting between 400 and 500 people to attend.

Just over a year old, the Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment No. 1081 is already 100 members strong and includes Marines from across Southeast Missouri.

The Marines' birthday, which will be its 227th, actually isn't until the 10th, but that date falls on a Sunday. Even though the ball will be held a day early, local organizers aren't holding back. They are elated to have secured Lt. Gen. Charles Pitman as the keynote speaker.

Ronald P. MacCubbin, commandant of the local Marine group, says he believes Pitman to be the first three-star general to visit Cape Girardeau since Ulysses S. Grant.

Pitman retired as a lieutenant general from the Marine Corps in 1990 after 38 years. His last assignment was as Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation at Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

For the first time, the detachment is inviting the public to attend the Marines' celebration. Invitations can be purchased for $50 each. Those wanting more information can contact Dr. Bill Walker at 335-9292.

As MacCubbin, Walker and fellow Marine Ronald Acord talked about the formal gala, which will include some ceremonial moments as well as a plate dinner, music and dancing, they all emphasized how important this birthday is to all Marines.

"It's probably more important to us than our own birthdays," Acord said.

"If you see a fellow Marine on Nov. 10, he'll always say happy birthday," McCubbin said.

The Marines Corps is actually older than the country. It was established by a resolution of the Continental Congress.

Acord said the Marines' training is like no other. He said the three principles that are drilled into the minds of Marines are honor, courage and commitment.

"These principles guide us through life," he said. "We were further taught that you must learn to improvise, adapt to any situation and overcome any obstacles."

McCubbin said Marines don't know words like "can't" or "won't."

"We just do," he said.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127