Every year in November America celebrates Veterans Day on 11/11, and there also world wide celebrations honoring the birth of the United States Marine Corps, born 10 November 1775.

Of the hundreds of celebrations of the Marines, two stand out as “Must Attend” events.

Each year a small group of about a hundred will muster at the Hammerheads Seafood and Grille in Suwanee, Georgia on 10 November. It does not matter what day of the week 10 November falls on, a faithful band of Marines, will put on their Marine Corps branded clothing, and along with their significant others meet at for a a meal, and participate in the Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony. The Marines will muster, share stories and catch up with friends they may only see once a year. The ceremony will honor all veterans, of all services, and remember those who have gone on to guard heaven’s gate.

An even smaller group that numbers in the dozen’s will take the celebration a fun bit farther. Just prior to 10 November finds this smaller band of brothers boarding a cruiseship on 28 October thru 4 November 2023 and sailing the Caribbean Sea for a week of extended camaraderie, adventure and relaxation Marine Corps style. In other words, they wear themselves out well into every evening and wake early to explore the port of the day.

During the cruise, each day brings something different because aside from the ships daily schedule of events, the band of Marines bring with them their own schedule of activities. Each year, there is a red, white and blue day, a sparkles day, and a unique theme day that varies from year to year. Since we will be at sea on Halloween, we will bring our ghouls, goblin, witch and vampire attire. Of course one night is set aside to conduct the Marine Corps Birthday Traditional Cake Cutting Ceremony.

The red, white and blue day is exactly what it sounds like, no matter where we are during the day, the entire group is in red, white, and blue. If by the pool, the bathing suit is red, white and blue, if you are exploring a port in search of rum, trinkets, or other souvenirs, your casual clothing is RW&B. At dinner time, yup, RW&B.

Sparkles night is dedicated to the shiny sequined wardrobe for both men and women. I am trying to convince the wife that it is okay to wear an outfit more than once, especially if it is only going to be worn once a year. I have not had success. But at least I get to wear the same shiny vest each year, I just change which shirt I wore from last year!

The unique theme night does change from year to year, and we have yet to repeat a theme. We have enjoyed Pirate night where we all dressed up as pirates, Wild West Night, roaring 20’s, the 50’s, and last year was aloha.

The best part of the cruise is not what we do, or where we go. The best part of the cruise is who we go with, and who we met along the way. Each year, the group finds one particular area of the ship that becomes the daily hangout. The one place no matter the time of the day, we are assured to find other members of the group and use the opportunity to catch up on the day, week, or year.

Living near a large lake in Georgia, we stop enjoying the water around September, the cruise provides the perfect pause from the wintry cold.

The hosts for the cruise are Marine veterans and our wives. Jeff and Ginny Covert, together with Tony and Nancy Tijerina can answer as many questions you may have.

More information on this cruise can be found HERE