American Legion Post 537 celebrates Marine Corps’ birthday

American Legion Post 537 celebrates Marine…

The Marine Corps veterans of American Legion Post #537 pose together at the legion hall during the post's Marine Corps birthday ceremony Nov. 10. Photo by Matthew D'Ippolito
The Colonel Jacob Morgan American Legion Post #537 of Joanna marked the 238th birthday of the Marine Corps with a cake cutting ceremony at the legion hall on Twin Valley Road Nov. 10. Photo by Matthew D'Ippolito
Sarg makes the first cut into the cake with the Mameluke Sword at the Morgantown American Legion's Marine Corps birthday celebration Nov. 10. Photo by Matthew D'Ippolito
Legion member Troy Trupe gives a speech honoring the service of local Marine Corps veterans at the Morgantown American Legion's Marine Corps birthday celebration Nov. 10. Photo by Matthew D'Ippolito
The Colonel Jacob Morgan American Legion Post #537 of Joanna marked the 238th birthday of the Marine Corps with a cake cutting ceremony at the legion hall on Twin Valley Road Nov. 10. Photo by Matthew D'Ippolito
Sarg, the oldest Marine Corps vet at the Morgantown American Legion, was given the second piece of cake as per tradition at the Legion's Marine Corps birthday celebration Nov. 10. Photo by Matthew D'Ippolito

PUBLISHED: November 18, 2013 at 9:29 a.m. | UPDATED: August 22, 2021 at 4:09 a.m.

The Colonel Jacob Morgan American Legion Post #537 of Joanna marked the 238th birthday of the Marine Corps with a cake cutting ceremony at the legion hall on Twin Valley Road Nov. 10.

The cake was cut by the post’s oldest Marine Corps veteran, Leonard “Sarg” DeLong, 88, of Robeson Township. This was the 70th Marine Corps birthday celebrated by DeLong, who served in World War II, Korea and two tours in Vietnam from 1943-1970. The cake was cut with the Mameluke Sword, a symbol of the Corps.

Following tradition, the first slice went to this year’s guest of honor, Dan Hurrell, the second piece was given to DeLong and the third piece went to the post’s youngest Corps veteran, Bo Nonnemaker.