Celebrating the 250th Birthday of the U.S, Marines

On 11 November 2025 Grand Strand Detachment 873 had a cake cutting ceremony for the 250th birthday of the U.S. MARINES CORPS.

The Marine Corps cake cutting ceremony is a traditional event for celebrating the Corps Birthday. The ceremony is performed with a Mameluke sword to cut the cake and symbolizes the commitment to being warriors. Commandant Greg Price cutting the first piece, which usually goes to a guest of honor but in this case the first piece is passed onto the oldest Marine and symbolically passed to the younge

As Tradition of the Marine Corps Commandant Greg Price making the first cut.

Quartermaster cutting the cake to give out the Detachment Members.

The oldest Detachment Member 95 years young Korean War Veterans Tom Hyland and the youngest Senior Vice Commandant Chris Praet enjoying the cake

Field of Flags 2025

On 5 November 2025 City of Myrtle Beach Public Works with approximately 30 volunteers from several Veterans organizations including VVA Chapter 925 helped to mount a field of American Flags located in an open ares within War Bird Park, Market Common. There were 250 flags mounted on this day. The flags will be on display until Veterans Day 2025. They will be remounted on Memorial Day 2026. The flags start from the first flag by Besty Ross showing the thirteen colonies to present. What is the field of flags, is a touching display honors our country’s brave veterans and brings attention to their meaningful sacrifice. While there’s no specific time to create this eye-catching exhibit, it’s common to see them on military holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Myrtle Beach Stand Down 2025

On Friday 17 October 2025 Myrtle Beach held their annual Stand Down. This year this event was held by The Veterans Welcome Home and Resource Center (VWHRC) The event aimed to connect veterans with essential resources such as food, clothing and services like eye exams and disability claim filing. Volunteers, both veterans and non-veterans, participated in the event. The main issue of this event was to help homelessness veterans in the area. It was agreat day a little chilly in the morning but turned out to be a perfect day to have a Stand Down. There were about 173 veterans attended this event.

Lion’s club screened 18 adults and 2 children for vision
VA Eligibility assisted 10 Veterans with access to care
VA Vocational Rehab engaged with 12 Veterans to assist with employment

Several members of the Grand Strand Detachment 873 Marine Corps league attended

Dick Richards

Dick Richards WWII Veteran is one of our oldest members of the Grand Strand Detachment 873 Marine Corps League. Dick has relocated to the Veterans Village in Florence South Carolina, and doing well. This past Memorial Day, Chris Williams, Jr. Past Commandant his wife Connie, and Dick’s wife Willis visited him on the holiday. Dick was very proud to ware his Marine Corps Blues uniform. Should any member want to visit Dick, the address is 1200 E. National Cemetery Road, Florence SC 29506. Telephone number 843-432-4600. I would suggest calling before you visit him to make arrangements.

Socastee Heritage Festival 2025

On 26 April 2025 Members of Grand Strand Detachment 873 attended the Socastee Heritage Festival. Left to right Chuck Davies - Jr. vice Commandant, Gerry Davies - Quartermaster, Greg Price - Commandant, not in Picture but helped out, Dale Cooper - Paymaster, and Don Failla.

The Socastee Heritage Festival was a great success for the Detachment. We may have picked up several new members for the detachment. The weather held out until late in the afternoon the heavens opened up and rained. However, it did not discourage the people the festival went on.

Some of the people attended the Socastee Heritage Festival.

On 8 April 2025 at our regular meeting, Grand Strand Detachment 873 Marine Corps League held their installation of Officers. In the below pictures 1. Jim Powell - Senior Vice Commandant, Department of South Carolina preformed the swearing in of the Detachment Officers. From left to right elected officers: Senior Vice Commandant -Chris Praet, Jr. Vice Commandant - Chuck Davies, Commandant - Greg Price, and Judge Advocate - Lee Morton. Appointed Officers: Sal Salvino - Sergeant at arms, (not shown) Betty Brodhun - Adjutant, Skip Brodhun - Chaplain, Gerry Davies - Quartermaster, and Dale Cooper Paymaster. 2. Picture, taking the oath of installation of officers. 3. Jim Powell administering the oath of office to Commandant Greg Price. 4. Jim Powell congratulating Commandant Greg Price. 5. Sal Salvino - Sergeant at arms requesting the Chaplain to lead the Detachment in prayer. 6. Quartermaster - Gerry Davies and Adjutant - Betty Brodhun after ceremony.