Toast The U.S. Marine Corps' 247th Birthday Thursday At TC's Too

OAK LAWN, IL — There's no such thing as an ex-Marine, and this Thursday, Nov. 10, the few and the proud, along with their friends, are invited to TC’s Too , 9906 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn for the annual birthday bash honoring the United States Marine Corps. This year, the Marines will be celebrating their 247th birthday.

From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, the Marines have long maintained a reputation as an elite amphibious fighting force. The service traditionally marks its birthday in November, celebrating its 1775 origin with the Second Continental Congress.

The tradition of the Marine Corps bash was started 20 years ago by Joseph Olson, the original owner of TC’s. The bar was sold earlier this year, so this year the party is moving over to the former bar’s second location, TC’s Too, in Oak Lawn.

“My dad started the tradition,” Bob Olson said. “He was in the service, but not the Marines. He had a lot of friends who were Marines, so that’s how it got started.”

Olson said as many as 2,000 to 4,000 Marines are expected to pass through TC’s Too on Thursday.

The bash runs all evening, but Marines and their friends are invited to stop by anytime for a drink when the bar opens at noon. The Emerald Society Bagpipes and Drums will start around 8 p.m. There will also be a prize for the oldest and youngest Marine in attendance, capped off but the cutting of the birthday cake with a saber.