Marines Birthday Celebration In South Philly

‘244th Marine Corps Birthday Celebration’

On November 10, 1775, the Continential Marines were established by the Second Continental Congress. Research indicates that the birthplace of the Corps, as the first place where Marines enlisted, was Tun Tavern in Philadelphia!

In 1781, the Tun Tavern burned down. Its former structure stood at a location now occupied by Interstate 95, where it passes Penn’s Landing. A commemorative marker on the east side of Front Street indicates the site, across from Sansom Walk. (Tun Tavern Marker)

Daddy Wags

Fast forward to the end of 1969. Sergeant James Wagner, known as Daddy Wags, was a few years out of the Marine Corps, after serving two tours in Vietnam. He would stop into Cookie’s Tavern from time to time, which at the time belonged to his uncle, Bill “Cookie” Cook. The bar was located in South Philly, near the corner of 10 Street and Oregon Avenue.

Daddy Wags cousin, Charlie Simpson, happened to walk into the bar on November 10, 1969 and saw Daddy Wags at the end of the bar having a beer. Charlie said, “let’s drink a beer to the Marines’ birthday.” After that beer, they agreed that they should do this again, but tell more people about it.

So it went from two, to ten, to one-hundred, and now over 1,500 people. In 1977, Wagner bought the bar, keeping the name in honor of his uncle, and officially declaring the birthday party as an annual event.

Sergeant James “Daddy Wags” Wagner passed away on November 02, 2002. The bar was left to his daughter, Marion Wagner, who continued the tradition that her dad started with the help of many. Salvatore DiNubile then bought the bar in 2017 and still continues the tradition! The rest of the story on Daddy Wags, Cookie’s Tavern and Celebrating the Marines’ birthday, click here.

Colonel Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum, former deputy assistant Secretary of the Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient, had this to say about Sergeant Wagner:

Jim “Daddy Wags” Wagner was the kind of guy who, if there was a pothole in the church parking lot, he’d pay for it to be filled. There’s not enough room in the biggest mansion to house this man’s heart.

What adds to this event is the fact that Marines and others come from California, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, etc just for the Marines birthday celebration at Cookie’s Tavern.

Special Attractions At Birthday Celebration

- - Special Birthday Ceremony starting at 1 pm
  - Mia Johnson will be singing the National Anthem
  - Live music from Hickstown Road band
  - Polish American String Band at 7 pm
  - DJ playing later in the day & at night

Ceremony will be at 1 pm:

Honor Guard
Tom Lamaine is MC – Veteran Philadelphia broadcaster and former Navy pilot.
Singing of our National Anthem by Mia Johnson. You can follow her on Twitter as well at @MiaJawnsonMusic
Commandants Message
Councilman David Oh will be presenting the Proclamation
Letter from Barney Barnum
Toys for Tots drop off bins
Cake cutting ceremony with the youngest and oldest Marine present
Oldest & Youngest Marine
Sign in book to help find other Marines
Jeff Belonger to talk about Irreverent Warriors & veteran suicides
Chris Simrak to talk about helpful Veteran organizations, helplines & veteran suicide

Part of the proceeds from the event will go to Toys for Tots of Philadelphia! You can also bring toys or cash to donate as well!

Former Marines, Navy and Army with Mahlon Fink survivor of Battle of Iwo Jima

Special Package at Marines Birthday Celebration (click here for details)

Cookies Drawstring Bag includes: (Click Here for Package Bracelets )

● Wrist Band for all your can drink beer
● Food
● Cookie’s Hat
● Cookie’s Plastic Beer Stein
● 244th T-Shirt
● Magnet

For $60, you can get a Marines celebration t-shirt and a wristband for all you can drink beer and eat! And there will be t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats and more on sale as well. For $35, an all you can drink and eat bracelet. The event is rain or shine.

Cookies Tavern’s other merchandise for the Marines Birthday Celebration: Click Here
Hotel Information: Click Here

This special birthday celebration is open to the public & all branches of the military!

Veterans Day is November 11!

Video From November 10, 2011 By Patrick J. Hughes

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Marines Birthday Celebration At Cookie’s Tavern

Location

Cookie’s Tavern
2654 S Alder St (corner of 10th St & Oregon Ave)
Philadelphia, PA 19148

Date

November 10, 2019 | Rain or Shine

Time

10:00 am – 10:00 pm outside | Bar will stay open until 2:00 am

Ceremony | Approximately at 1:00 pm

Cost

Free to Attend | Beer & Food Packages $60 (all you can drink & eat with goodies bag – described above) $35 (all you can eat & drink) | Click Here for Package Bracelets