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Manteca celebrates 250th birthday for U.S. Marines ahead of Veterans Day
USMC 250th birthday
Mike Carroll along with Tony Padilla (left), in keeping with tradition, were the oldest in attendance at Monday’s 250th Birthday Celebration of the U.S. Marines during the cake-cutting ceremony. They were joined by the youngest, Jesus Sillas, 32, in special event held in the City of Manteca Council Chambers. - photo by VINCE REMBULAT

Sgt. Steve Beerman of the Manteca Police Department put together a successful “voluntold” event with the 250th Birthday Celebration of the U.S. Marines.

Some two dozen or so local veterans were honored Monday in the City of Manteca Council Chamber for their legacy of courage, discipline, and service to the country.

USMC 250th birthday
Manteca City Manager Toni Lungren praised Sgt. Steve Beerman for helping organize this special event. - photo by VINCE REMBULAT
According to City Manager Toni Lungren, the special birthday celebration came to be when Beerman, who served in the Marines from 1987 to 1991 – he saw action in Operation Desert Storm – mentioned this significant date just prior to this year’s Veterans Day.

She gave him the green light — or, as Lungren said, “voluntold” him — to go ahead with the planning of the landmark 250th birthday, which was one of several such celebrations in Northern California.

The Marines date back to Nov. 10, 1775 when John Adams drafted a resolution that created the Continental Marines.

Tony Padilla and his family came in from Stockton to attend the special Manteca celebration consisting of a salute to the colors and the introduction of those who served U.S. Marine Corps.

Padilla saw action in Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Kuwait during his 22 years of service.

USMC 250th birthday
City of Manteca employees who served in the Marines were also recognized - photo by VINCE REMBULAT

He and Mike Carroll of Manteca were two of the oldest in attendance at the local event consisting of the cake-cutting ceremony featuring the oldest and youngest – this is a tradition formalized in 1952, symbolizing the passing of wisdom and knowledge from older generations to the new.

Jesus Sillas, 32, of Manteca had the honor of being the youngest Marine, having served from 2011 to 2015.

Carroll, 78, saw action in Vietnam during his tour of duty from 1965 to 1968.

They’re also looking forward to today’s Veterans Day events consisting of the following:

·       Free breakfast – American Legion Post 249 will be serving up free breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the McFall-Grisham Post 249 hall located at 220 E. Yosemite Ave., Manteca. Cost for others is $10.

·       Appreciation Dinner – The Manteca Senior Center is inviting veterans, active-duty military and spouses, to the Veterans Day Appreciation Dinner that begins at 5 p.m. The City of Manteca event is being held in partnership with Manteca VFW Post 6311 and Nurse Next Door Home Care Services. Included will be food, music, and community speakers. The Manteca Senior Center is located at 295 Cherry Lane. Call to RSVP at 209.823.8700.

·       Ripon Veterans Day – The day starts off with coffee and donuts at Ripon Senior Center from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., with the annual Veterans Day ceremony to follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Veterans Wall on Locust and First streets. The special ceremony will be hosted by Ripon American Legion Post 190 and Ripon VFW Post 1051.