Full Story
New Marine Corps museum opens, SMP attends
Thousands of retired and active duty service members of all branches of the military attended the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of the Marine Corps Nov. 10 in Quantico, Va.
Members of the depot’s Single Marine Program were also able to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday, while they partook in the festivities.
The new museum sits on more than 135 acres of land adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico. It is approximately 118,000 square-feet and will reach more than 181,000 square-feet by the time it is completed.
The steel spire that sits atop the museum is 210 feet high and can be seen above the tree line from I-95 and the surrounding areas. The spire was modeled after the flag raising at Iwo Jima and also represents swords at salute, aircraft climbing into the sky and a firearm at the ready.
The museum was designed to help people see life through the eyes of Marines, said retired Lt. Gen. Ron Christmas, president of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. He said it helps visitors gain a deeper understanding of the culture and Core Values of the Marine Corps.
The Leatherneck Gallery is just inside the doors. It contains four aircraft that are suspended in the air and a large granite wall covered with famous Marine quotes and images. There is also an exhibit that depicts the first helicopter deployment of combat troops in Korea in 1951.
The museum has Vietnam War, World War II, and Korean War exhibits, as well as temporary exhibits on the Global War on Terrorism and a combat art gallery.
As visitors entered the displays, they were immersed into what the wars were like for the Marines. Temperatures in the rooms changed to bring the visitors closer to the action of the "Frozen Chosin" during the Korean conflict and the heat of the desert during the Global War on Terrorism.
There is also a Making Marines gallery, where visitors got an idea of what Marine Corps recruit training is like.
Visitors heard the nervous thoughts of recruits on the bus ride to the Marine Corps recruit depot and even stood on the yellow footprints, where Marines begin their transformation process. They had the opportunity to lift a pack, do pull-ups or qualify on a laser M16 A2 service rifle range.
"The museum will not make you a Marine, only a drill instructor can do that," said President George W. Bush. "But by putting you in the boots of a Marine, this museum will leave you with a rich appreciation for the history of the Corps."
Honor, courage and commitment aren’t just words, said President Bush. The museum will help keep the history of the Corps alive, which will in turn preserve the Corps’ Core Values of honor, courage and commitment along with its rich heritage.
|
