USMC Birthday Ball tokens

[shrapneldude]

Hello!

Don't know if anyone is actively collecting this stuff, but I'm sure a lot of the older Marines probably have stuff like this stashed away.

Every year at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, the unit usually provides a gift of some sort. We've gotten glass beer mugs w/ unit logo on them, challenge coins, etc etc. Pretty neat stuff and maybe not a "WOW" item for the collection, but just kind of interesting. Would love to see any WWII / KW / Vietnam era USMC ball items if anyone has them.

 

I'll post more photos of mine later, but here's one we got at the 3/25 ball several years ago.

...because nothing says Liberty Risk like giving liquor flasks to 19 and 20 year old Marines.

[doyler]

Thats pretty nice Danny

 

Never seen one engraved for the units from The Marine Ball

 

RD

[shrapneldude]

Here's some from my foster son from his time at Iwakuna Air Station with the Marines.

 

For Airwingers, this stuff is actually pretty nice looking. A very large, enameled challenge coin in a "bloodstriped" presentation case

 

[shrapneldude]

 

Very nice pewter paperweight, "TIP OF THE SPEAR" Birthday Ball gift.

[cutiger83]

Dan,

 

I like the "Tip of the Spear" item. It is really cool...Kat

[Brian Dentino]

Some cool stuff there Dan! but................."because nothing says Liberty Risk like giving liquor flasks to 19 and 20 year old Marines." just about made me fall off my chair laughing! Oh how true that statement is....

[gpw_42]

Neat items to add to your collection. I think these sorts of "smalls" really help a display.

 

I'm not a Marine, but do have a very positive memory of the 2007 USMC Birthday: at Camp Ramadi, they even authorized 2 beers for all us Doggies. I still think that was a classy move, and perhaps the best beer I've ever had!

 

Steve

[TLeo]

Stumbled on this topic and thought I'd share this Birthday Ball token. Black sand from Iwo on the base of it and even got a bottle of black sand with it!

 

[shrapneldude]

Wow, that Suribachi statue is one very cool USMC ball gift!

 

Seems like the more ornate ones come from 3rd MarDiv / Japan Marines.

 

Here's a few more of mine:

Coin, wine glass, beer mug, and glass.

[shrapneldude]

[Brig]

2/9 jipped us by giving us our plank holder coins at the Ball...and they lost the list of which number went to who...same problem with my ATBn plank holder coin...only I don't know where that one is

 

WFTBn here gave us a mug. very plain