CANFIELD — The annual Marine Corps League Tri-State Marine Detachment Chapter 494 reunion provides an opportunity to create new memories with fellow organization members and celebrates Marine Corps history. It also is an opportunity to raise funds for multiple programs and services in which the detachment is involved throughout the year.

This year was its 45th reunion at A La Carte Catering in Canfield. Also being celebrated was the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. The event was open to all Marines, their families and all service members who served with or were attached to a Marine Corps unit.

A 50 / 50 raffle, door prizes and a silent auction helped raise funds for the services and functions the organization provides to veterans in the community.

The Detachment participates in the Toys-for-Tots program, joins in the Laying of the Roses at the Vietnam Memorial in Youngstown, and participates in a remembrance observance at the Beirut Memorial in Struthers each year. They help fellow veterans during the holiday season, providing those in need with gift certificates and food baskets. They also offer Honor Guard ceremonies for veteran funerals.

Past commandant and reunion committee chairman Mark Carver of New Springfield said that there are about 139 organization members, with about 80 members in attendance at the reunion this year.

“We give out $40 gift certificates to veterans. Last year, we gave out $18,000in gift certificates,” he said.

Carver joined the organization in 2012.

“This man is so dedicated to this organization. He also participates in many Honor Guard Ceremonies for veteran funerals,” said his wife, Doreen.

Marine veterans Dennis Page and Robert Cambron grew up in Newton Falls and have been friends since seventh grade.

“I went in first. He went in a couple of months later. We were both in Vietnam,” Page said.

Page moved to Tennessee two years ago, but still comes up for the reunion, where he and Cambron catch up.

Cambron’s granddaughter, Carla Cambron, is an associate member. Carver said, “Carla volunteers and does so much for the organization.”

Marine veteran Roland Brothers, 96, of Youngstown, served in Korea during his six years of military service. Brothers said he has been attending the reunions for five or six years.

Dan Lewis of Boardman received the Ohio Marine of the Year Marine Corps League Award in recognition of his dedication to the organization.

Lewis invited fellow Marine veteran, Bill Strelko of Salem, to the reunion after their wives, Elaine Lewis and Kathy Strelko, discussed the upcoming reunion at their monthly quilting club meeting. It was not until then that Strelko became aware of the organization.

Marine veterans Tyrone Sanders and Cletus Pulliam, both of Akron, are members of another Marine Detachment, but attended the 494 Detachment reunion.

“We come up to support this detachment and also come up for the Beirut Memorial,” Sanders said.

The evening began with the posting of colors by four Honor Guard members from the Vienna Marine Corps Detachment. Annabelle Himes, granddaughter of member Chester Kaschak, led the singing of the national anthem, “God Bless America” and “The Marines Hymn.”

A traditional Marine Corps cake-cutting ceremony took place, marking the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps. John Texter, 94, of Campbell, a lifelong member of the Marine Corps League, served the first piece of cake to the youngest Marine present, a 22-year-old member of the Honor Guard from the Vienna Marine Corps Detachment.

The Marine Corps League is composed of Marines, but veterans of any branch of the armed forces are welcome to join as associate members. Meetings of the 494th Detachment are once a month in Austintown. Anyone who wishes to join can visit their Facebook page or website for information.