Original and symbolic, the United States Marine Corps monument greets visitors to Cedar Beach Park in Allentown.

On Nov. 10, Marine Corps veterans from Bethlehem Detachment 284 and Lehigh Valley Detachment 296, some accompanied by families and friends, met at the monument for the Lehigh Valley 24th annual U.S. Marine Corps birthday celebration.

In recognition of the Corps 239th birthday, Marine Joseph Malia presented Gen. John Lejeune's iconic 1921 birthday message.

Designated speakers also read missives from the current Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Joseph Dunford, and the Marine Corps League National Commandant, Jim Tuohy.

The ceremony included patriotic observances and, of course, the "Marines' Hymn."

Veteran attendees were invited to speak; their comments ranged from requests to make newly discharged Marines aware of veterans organizations and the services they offer to reminiscences of wartime experiences.

Whatever the speaker's focus, the underlying emotion was pride: pride in self, in service, and in country.

As one veteran so aptly stated, "Happy birthday Marine Corps; Semper Fi."