Charles Wright wants to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 227th birthday by starting a Marine Corps League Detachment in Lawrence.

The former Marine, who lives near Lecompton, pitched the idea to about 75 servicemen who gathered Friday for an annual birthday celebration at American Legion Post No. 14, 3408 W. Sixth St.

The detachment would be similar to the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“We need one,” Wright said. “It would continue the traditions of the Marine Corps, help former Marines, their widows and orphans, provide service to the community.”

Wright, a former Topeka mayor, said the group had detachments in Overland Park, Salina, Wichita, Hays, Independence and Topeka, where he is active. The group provides rides for former Marines to doctor appointments, serves as a firing squad at funerals and provides scholarships.

He has scheduled two organizational meetings for potential members. The meetings will be at 6 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Nov. 16 at the American Legion post.

Current and former U.S. Marines and friends celebrate the 227th birthday of the corps at a reception at the American Legion. Staff Sgt. Chris Bowling, left, the Marine recruiter in Lawrence, serves the first piece of cake to Maj. Gen. Larry S. Taylor of the Marine Corps Reserve during the Friday event.

Friday was the 12th year for Lawrence’s Marine Corps birthday celebration. The featured speaker was Maj. Gen. Larry S. Taylor of the Marine Corps Reserve.

Taylor, who flew helicopters during the Vietnam War, said the war on terrorism was similar in some ways to World War II.

“Like then, this time everybody is involved :quot; not just those of us in uniform or their families who are so greatly affected, but everybody,” he said.

¢ Marine Corps

Party-goers also watched a video highlighting Marine involvement in Afghanistan. That struck a chord with Staff Sgt. Chris Bowling, who recently returned to the United States from Kandahar to be Lawrence’s Marine recruiter.

“It kind of touches the heart,” he said. “I knew some of the people in the video.”