
Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Sponsorship Information/Registration
Sponsors,
The Marine Corps League, LCpl Jacob D. Hayes Detachment #1426, is proud to announce that the 247th Marine Corps Birthday Ball will be held at the Hilton at Granite Park in Plano, Texas on November 12th, 2022. We are looking forward to once again inviting the local community to join us for this elegant evening of rich military history, tradition, and ceremony.
The local Marine Corps League exists to foster camaraderie and fellowship among Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and friends of the Corps; to promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy; to voluntarily render aid & assistance to all Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and their families; to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps, and by fitting acts, to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions which hold particular interest to Marines. The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is one such occasion.
At this year's Birthday Ball, we will continue the tradition of bringing outstanding Guests of Honor speakers. These speakers have included Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald and Hershel "Woody" Williams. The 247th Birthday Ball will feature retired Marine Major Scott Huesing, author of one of the definitive Marine books of the 21st century, "Echo in Ramadi." The book is one of the best looks at the life inside a Marine infantry company and an excellent study in command. Additionally, Major Huesing founded the nonprofit Save the Brave, which connects veterans through outreach programs.
The Marine Corps Birthday Ball serves as a major fundraising event for the Collin County Marine Corps League. Funds assist us in our mission of supporting local Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and their families; plus allows us to support other veteran initiatives in line with our mission. Last year the Marine Corps League of Collin County was able to:
•Provided over $8000 in financial assistance to Marines, FMF Corpsmen and their families
•Supported our Toys For Tots campaign that provided over 60,000 toys to children in Collin County.
•Awarded $3500 in scholarships
•Donated over $4400 towards other projects and organizations such as:
*The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Frisco
*Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas
*One Tribe Foundation's W.A.T.C.H. program and many more
It is only with the amazing support of the local community, including local businesses, organizations, and political leaders that we are able to accomplish our mission and enrich the community we serve. Therefore, the Marine Corps League is once again seeking sponsors for this year’s Marine Corps Birthday Ball; not only to join us in celebration at this unique military event, but also to support us in our mission of serving local Marines, FMF Corpsmen their families, and other veteran causes that make the community a better place for all.
Ticket sales have opened. We hope to secure sponsors early, so that we can recognize and promote them as we are promoting regular ticket sales through radio, print and online promotions. For more information about the Marine Corps League, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, or sponsoring this unique event and supporting local veteran initiatives please contact admin@CollinMCL.org.
The members of the Marine Corps League, LCpl Jacob D. Hayes Detachment look forward to sharing this sacred Marine Corps tradition with our community again on November 12th at the Hilton at Granite Park. Thank you for your time and support of the Marine Corps League, LCpl Jacob D. Hayes Detachment.

Dear Sponsors,
On June 29th America lost its last World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Hershel “Woody” Williams. Woody was presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman, for his actions as a flame thrower during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Hershel “Woody” Williams was the Guest of Honor/Speaker at the Collin County Marine Corps League’s 243th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in 2018. He was 95 at the time and still knew how to motivate Marines. Several of our members personally worked with Woody and his foundation to have a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument built in Frisco. Our Marine Corps League also donated to the cause.
Woody served in the Marine Corps for 20 year before retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. After the war he worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs for 33 years and created the Woody Williams Foundation. Woody lived a life of service throughout his 98 years of life.
The Woody Williams Foundation is a charitable 501c(3) nonprofit organization that pursues specific endeavors and goals through the vision of Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams. The Foundation encourages, with the assistance of the American public
and community leaders, establishing permanent Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities throughout the United States, conducting Gold Star Families Outreach across the country, providing Living Legacy scholarships to eligible Gold Star Children, and advocating for the educational benefits for all Gold Star Family members.
Upon Woody’s passing, his family has indicated that Woody wished for people to carry on his mission. Our detachment not only wants to honor our friend Woody William’s wish, but we also believe in his mission of honoring Gold Star Families who have sacrificed their loved ones for our nation. This is why our Marine Corps League detachment is now looking at various ways to support the Woody Williams Foundation.
The Marine Corps League of Collin County hopes to help raise funds to support the creation of more Gold Star Families monuments across Texas. Specifically we would like to support projects in cities where there are other Marines Corps League detachments, so that we many assist them with their involvement of Honor Gold Star Families in their communities, in order to help them build better community relations and a stronger Marine Corps League in their respective cities.
To kick start this goal we added special incentives to our corporate sponsorships packages, and we will have additional fund raising opportunities at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. The additional funds will go to the Woody Williams Foundation. Please follow the detachment for updates on these initiatives and consider supporting our effort to honor Hershel “Woody” Williams and continue his mission of honoring Gold Star Families. Thank you.