The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the United States Mint kicked off the Marine Corps 250th Anniversary celebration by hanging commemorative cash at a December 4 ceremony held on the Mint in Philadelphia. The gold, silver, and clad cash depict iconic Marine Corps imagery, from the Iwo Jima flag-raising to historic and fashionable uniforms, all paying tribute to the Marine Corps’ wealthy legacy of service and valor. Multiple million commemorative cash will be minted for public launch in 2025, permitting Individuals nationwide to take part on this historic commemoration. The Marine Corps’ 250th Anniversary cash would be the solely commemorative cash minted in 2025.
Cash can be out there for buy on January 2, 2025 at U.S. Mint Gross sales.
“The 250th birthday presents a historic alternative to attach all Individuals with their Marine Corps all year long,” stated retired Marine Main Common James Lukeman, President and CEO of the Basis. “For 250 years, Marines have fought for America’s future and epitomized the glory, braveness, and selfless service that the Marine Corps is known for.”
The 250th anniversary celebration will proceed all through 2025, showcasing the Marine Corps’ warfighting legacy and values of honor, braveness, and dedication via nationwide packages and occasions, inviting all Individuals to acknowledge the historical past and impression of their Marine Corps.
“This celebration just isn’t solely about honoring the previous however trying towards the long run,” MajGen Lukeman continued. “As we mark 250 years of the Marine Corps, we’re additionally paying tribute to the Marines at present serving at present and future generations getting ready to observe of their footsteps.”
Different Celebrations of the Marine Corps 250th Anniversary
50-State Birthday Cake Chopping Program
All 50 states are planning to carry a conventional Marine Corps-style cake-cutting ceremony with participation from governors’ workplaces, their Veterans Affairs workplaces, and neighborhood leaders with truffles supplied by ABA.
Marine Corps PSA
MCHF has created a Public Service Announcement (PSA) tv business that celebrates the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday and the unbreakable connection between Corps and nation. The PSA will air all through 2025 throughout America. See it right here quickly at Marine250.com.
Marines Throughout America
This system will spotlight Marines who embody the values of honor, patriotism, and selfless service inside their communities. All year long, it would showcase the contributions Marines make of their native communities or nationally following active-duty or reserve service. Members of the general public are inspired to share tales of Marines they know, each energetic and veterans, who’re making a distinction of their neighborhood at both Marine250.com or utilizing the hashtag #MarinesAcrossAmerica.
Sports activities Occasions Throughout the Nation
As a part of the celebration, sporting occasions will honor the Marine Corps all year long, from nationwide occasions such because the Notre Dame vs. Navy soccer sport and a NASCAR race at Martinsville, Virginia that can be known as the Marine Corps 250, to native occasions together with Minor League Baseball groups that may characteristic Marines with customized theme nights and “Marine of the Month” recognitions. Moreover, the Nationwide Federation of State Excessive Faculty Associations will acknowledge the Marine Corps at greater than 150 highschool state championship video games throughout the U.S., all in celebration of 250 years of the Marine Corps.
Nationwide Museum of the Marine Corps
On the Nationwide Museum of the Marine Corps, guests can discover Marine historical past and private tales via new displays offering immersive experiences centered on the lives and missions of modern-day Marines.
“As we have fun 250 years of Marine Corps historical past, the museum’s latest displays supply guests a novel alternative to attach with the experiences of at present’s Marines,” stated Keil Gentry, Director of the Nationwide Museum of the Marine Corps. “The museum is honored to be part of this milestone and to have the chance to share the tales of the women and men who’ve served, and proceed to serve, our nation with satisfaction and braveness.”
Touring Fight Artwork Exhibit
Following the success of the inaugural touring fight artwork exhibit, the 250th celebration will embrace the second touring fight artwork exhibit titled “The U.S. Marine Corps Air-Floor Crew.” The touring exhibit will open in January 2025 at The Citadel in Charleston, that includes distinctive paintings that captures Marine service and sacrifice. It’s going to then tour the nation all through 2025 and 2026.
Library of Congress Exhibit
As a part of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration, the Library of Congress will curate a collections show of Marine-related artifacts from the Library’s collections, on show via October and November. The anniversary coincides with the twenty fifth anniversary of the Library’s Veterans Historical past Challenge, a grassroots effort with a mission to gather, protect and make accessible the first-person narratives of U.S. navy veterans from World Battle I via present conflicts.
Study extra at loc.gov/vets.
Birthday in a Field
This system gives digital sources to communities, organizations, and civic leaders nationwide, enabling them to host their very own native Marine Corps birthday celebrations. Every equipment will embrace supplies corresponding to occasion graphics, cake-cutting protocol pointers, and a short historical past of the Marine Corps birthday, making it straightforward to take part within the nationwide celebration.
Honorary Marines
The Basis will have fun the less than 100 people designated ‘Honorary Marines’ by the Marine Corps. This system honors these civilians who’ve made extraordinary contributions to the Marine Corps. Notable Honorary Marines embrace actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, acclaimed actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise, and legendary photographer Joe Rosenthal, who captured the enduring picture of the flag elevating at Iwo Jima.
Westminster Kennel Membership Canine Present
In collaboration with the Westminster Kennel Membership Canine Present, Lance Corporal Chesty XVI (the Marine Corps’ bulldog mascot named for famed Marine’s Marine LtGen Lewis “Chesty” Puller) and the Marine Corps will take part within the presentation of the colours on February 10 and 11, 2025, to kick off the present at Madison Sq. Backyard.
For additional info on anniversary plans, please go to Marine250.com.
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Concerning the Marine Corps Heritage Basis
Devoted to the preservation and promulgation of Marine Corps historical past, the Marine Corps Heritage Basis was established in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) group. The Basis helps the historic packages of the Marine Corps in methods not potential via authorities funds. The Basis gives grants and scholarships for analysis and the renovation, restoration and commissioning of historic Marine Corps artifacts and landmarks. The Basis secured the required funding for the development of the Nationwide Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Middle, situated in Triangle, Virginia, and continues to increase packages on the Nationwide Museum of the Marine Corps and past its partitions.
For extra info, go to MarineHeritage.org.
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