Marine Corps Ball Marks 251st Birthday in Coeur d'Alene
Roughly 250 veterans and family members gathered Saturday night at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn to celebrate the Corps' anniversary.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Military
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Marine Corps League Pappy Boyington Detachment No. 966 hosted the 2026 Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Saturday night at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn. The event honored those who have served in the U.S. military, with retired Gunnery Sergeant Tanya Hildbrand as featured speaker.
Why it matters
The ball marks the anniversary of the Marine Corps and gives local veterans and their families a formal occasion to recognize service and share personal military history. It also keeps the Corps' traditions visible in the Coeur d'Alene community.
Approximately 250 veterans and family members attended, marking 251 years since the Marine Corps' founding. Robert Wynn, age 102, was among the attendees, having been inducted into the Army on January 13, 1943 and later sent to Burma to protect an Air Force airfield.
The players
Marine Corps League Pappy Boyington Detachment No. 966
A local chapter of the Marine Corps League, a veterans' organization that supports Marines and their families, named for World War II aviator Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington.
Tanya Hildbrand
A retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who served from 1993 to 2013 and was the featured speaker at the ball.
Robert Wynn
A 102-year-old World War II veteran who was drafted into the Army in 1943 and attended the ball.
Eric M. Smith
The commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, whose letter honoring the Corps' birthday was read at the event.
The details
Mike Quinn, commandant of the detachment, hosted the evening, which included speeches, personal military accounts, and a letter from General Eric M. Smith, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, read by Quinn. Tina Batha organized the event.
Timeline
1942: Robert Wynn graduated from high school.
January 13, 1943: Robert Wynn was inducted into the Army.
1993: Tanya Hildbrand joined the Marines.
2013: Tanya Hildbrand retired from the Marines.
Saturday, November 7, 2026: The 2026 Marine Corps Birthday Ball was held.
Military Tradition
The Marine Corps Birthday Ball has been observed annually since 1925 to mark the Corps' November 10, 1775 founding. The 2026 event continues that tradition in its 251st year, with local detachments hosting ceremonies across the country.
Veterans and family members interested in the Marine Corps League can contact the Pappy Boyington Detachment in Coeur d'Alene about membership and upcoming events. Those wishing to honor local veterans can attend similar community observances held throughout the year.
The takeaway
The ball shows how a military anniversary can bring together veterans of different eras, from World War II to recent decades, under one roof. Community events like this give younger Marines and older veterans a shared space to exchange stories.
Further reading
For more on veterans' observances and service, browse Military coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Coeur d'Alene Press.
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