Happy 231st USMC Birthday!
Posted on 11/06/2006 3:53:00 PM PST by trooprally
"Are you sure you haven't started the Art of Beer Drinking classes yet?"
As a teacher, one must prepare well in advance :)
ROTFLOL
[Mr] T
They do have a slop chute, right?
I did & that's what I was basing my opinion on. Still think it's an eyesore. I don't happen to like modern architecture.
What an excellent idea! I'm on the West Coast and won't be travelling to the DC area until next year, however.
Saluting you for your military support -- Seaplaner (A.F. vet and Marine Dad)
Thanks from [Mrs] T and myself. Give us a FReepmail when your travel plans firm up.
Thanks for the pic.
The building does evoke the feeling of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, I think. Of course, I've only driven by it on I-95 several times, where you see it at a distance through the trees. I don't know what impression it gives up close.
I had a feeling that was what is was to represent, maybe eyesore is a little strong. I was down in Quantico in September, I could also see it from I95...it didn't "grab me" But, like I said in my first post, I'm all for a Marine Memorial..and if I am ever visiting, I will certainly donate to the cause of keeping it running...
You are right. You're traveling N on 95 and all the sudden you see this giant phallus(shaft) pop up out of the tree line. Maybe that's the point!
You don't have to be there to donate. Check out www.marineheritage.org We signed up a few months ago and later made a contribution in memory of a Marine who died recently at the young age of 50, rather than send flowers. Her name will be entered on the Honor Roll which her parents will be able to see when they visit. Her Dad was a Marine in Korea so this means a great deal to them. Memorializing our Marines in this way is a great way to support the museum and acknowledge their service to their country.
I'll admit that I didn't "get it" until I saw a picture of the Iwo Jima flag raising underneath a picture of the building. DOH! Art, fart, whatever, it's impressive. Kinda like Marines powered by MRE's.
Now I understand why I'm having difficulty getting a hotel in DC in my usual spots! I hadn't realized the dedication was this weekend. I'll have to plan to see the museum on my next trip as the MCH website indicates that the museum doesn't open to the (non-ticket-holding) public until Monday Nov 13. Take lots of pictures!
20 Young Marines from Pennsylvania are coming to stay at my house tomorrow night thru Sunday - their billeting at Camp Upshur fell through. We're going to have a big sleep-over.
Our Young Marines will be staging the goodie bags under thousands of chairs tomorrow night.
Hubby will be at the Museum manning an exhibit on Friday.
Our Young Marines will be supporting the Veteran's ceremonies at the Quantico National Cemetery on Saturday.
We'll be with our Young Marines for a tour of the Museum on Sunday.
whew!
Can't wait to see the place.
p.s. Tunn Tavern is open and serves beer.
p.s.s. Promotions, retirements, re-enlistments have been going on there for over a month. Cool place to host those events.
".... the MCH website indicates that the museum doesn't open to the (non-ticket-holding) public until Monday Nov 13. Take lots of pictures!"
I didn't realize that. The literature we received really didn't make that clear. When they said 'tickets' not required, I guess one had to be at least registered.
Its more important now to get pics up quickly. Hope someone will be covering the Saturday event and post some pics.
[Mr] T
yes. There are tickets for the ceremony and seperate tickets for the tour. Tours are done in 2 hour increments and they will be moving people thru at a rapid pace... no lingering permitted due to the volume of folks anticipated.
Semper Fi!
.
National Infantry Museum, Ft. Benning GA - April 1st, 2006
http://www.RickRescorla.com/The%20Statue.htm
(Pictures)
http://www.RickRescorla.com
(Website)
Absolutely gorgeous day for the Marine Corps Museum dedication!!
While the waiting for the buses to load was cumbersome, the event was picture perfect as you'll see from [Mrs] Trooprally's great pictures. Since we could not really move around a lot during the dedication, the pics were of one of the 5 really-really big screens.
We arrived early at the Pentagon parking lot and got to the Museum by 10 AM. But not after wondering if the rush hour drivers were hating us for closing their HOV lanes. Even with the government off today, traffic was backed up. Our daughter and her husband were also in that traffic. One car tried to use the HOV lanes. As they passed our buses going in the opposite direction, a police car was in hot pursuit.
Legionnaire Halsey, a regular at the Olney, MD FReep and Trustee of the Museum, said there were about 11,000 tickets handed out for the Dedication. I soon learned that acknowledging the Marines there and wishing them a Happy Birthday would be fruitless. Marines were every where. To clear up a misconception, I have not had the privledge to serve our Country, but [Mrs] T has served in the Army and our family has Marine family members going back to Vietnam to active duty now.
There were 5 large screens that showed mostly Marine boot camp short movies. Boot Camp is the common theme that binds all Marines. Other short movies included some Iraq clips, and the history of the Marine Corps.
The static displays under the big tent were terrific. There was a little of everything, from heavy equipment to personal chemical/biological equipment to period displays. Too dark inside and too many people to get good shots of it.
The President flew to the Quantico Base and then drove into the Museum. He received a standing ovation coming in and then when leaving the dedication. He was also honored with a 21 cannon salute.
The dedication of the Memorial Walk was Saturday. While we got some pictures of the Walk, hopefully someone will be attending this event and post a report.
We took some pictures of the Walk which is to the left of the Museum.
The President also told everyone that Cpl. Jason Dunham, KIA Iraq, will receive the Medal of Honor. His parents were there and they got a standing ovation.
Hopefully this short report will allow you to make sense of the total file of Dedication pictures. Some pictures are in this post just to give you a thumb nail idea of the dedication.
BELOW LEFT: Entrance to Museum taken from our moving bus. BELOW RIGHT: Flags as you drive up to the parking area.
BELOW TOP: Sun glinting off the symbolic Iwo Jima flag pole. See Wolverine's superimposed picture of Iwo Jima Flag Raising. BELOW BOTTOM: Main Entrance to Museum.
BELOW LEFT: President flying to Quantico. Tents at bottom of picture hold the ststic displays. We missed the Marine's fly over. The jets flew over before we knew they were there. BELOW RIGHT: President walking up to podium as shown on big screens.
BELOW LEFT: President's 21 cannon salute. BELOW RIGHT: President's motorcade leaving ceremony.
BELOW TOP: Center piece of Memorial Walk. BELOW BOTTOM: Picture of random Bricks that line the walk.
BELOW LEFT: Period ambulance. BELOW RIGHT: Period clothing.
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