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CLEVELAND – A celebration of community, country and Corps, the fourth annual Marine Week will kick-off in Cleveland Monday, June 11. The week, which will bring roughly 750 Marines to the Rock and Roll Capital, will showcase the unique characteristics of America's Corps through more than sixty events in downtown and the Greater Cleveland area. Alongside Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, Mayor Frank G. Jackson will officially kick-off Marine Week Cleveland at the opening ceremony held in Public Square, Monday at 11:00 a.m. Brook Park Mayor Mark E. Elliott will also be in attendance. The ceremony will feature a performance by the Quantico Marine Band and an AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopter flyover. Additionally, in light of the Centennial of Marine Corps Aviation and in honor of the 50th anniversary of Operation SHUFLY, the first operational Marine aviation units to deploy to Vietnam in 1962, four veterans, including one from Ohio, will receive special recognition at the opening ceremony.
“For more than 50 years, the greater Cleveland area has been a good friend to the Corps. Marine Week is our opportunity to connect with Clevelanders and all Americans, thank them for their support and demonstrate why the Marine Corps is America’s Expeditionary Force in Readiness, said Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve; and Commander, Marine Forces North.”
Throughout the week, Marines will be stationed at Public Square, Gateway Plaza, Voinovich Park and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame giving Clevelanders the chance to talk with the Marines and climb aboard a variety of the Corps’ state-of-the-art aircraft and ground equipment. At Public Square, mount the Amphibious Assault Vehicle or AH-1 Cobra, take in a Quantico Marine Band concert at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday or catch a demonstration by the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program from 10 – 11 a.m. and 3 – 4 p.m. or Military Working Dog Team from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 4 – 5 p.m. At Voinovich Park take your seat in the cockpit of the revolutionary MV-22 Osprey, visit the Vietnam Wall replica and Ohio Flags of Honor Memorial or witness a wreath laying ceremony at 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. All week a Marine Honor Guard will be posted at the Vietnam Wall demonstrating to Cleveland the Marines are always on duty. Outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, visit the USMC Science and Technology Expo, housing the Corps’ latest military technology and combat weaponry or take your hand at the simulated firing range. Also on display will be artwork and history panels from the National Museum of the Marine Corps depicting the Corps’ timeline from inception in 1775 to present.
For the sports fanatics, the Marines will be taking on Cleveland Police, Fire and EMS in a flag football game at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on Wednesday at 7 p.m. featuring a pre-game performance by the Quantico Marine Band. On Friday evening hundreds of Marines will be taking over Progressive Field when the Cleveland Indians take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pre-game festivities featuring the Marine Corps Color Guard, Quantico Marine Band, ceremonial first pitch, flyover and more will begin at 5:30 p.m. with an official game start of 7:05 p.m.
Marines will also be lending a hand to local communities through a variety of community service projects. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Marine artists will be painting the Marine Week mural at 5601Carnegie Avenue as a leave behind to remind Clevelanders of the weeklong celebration of community, country and Corps. On Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Marines will be traveling to Hiram Camp in Chagrin Falls, Ohio to assist with trail renovations, camp beautification and painting, as well as mentoring youth on the rope courses and land navigation techniques. Thursday the Marines will be assisting the Cleveland Central Recreation Center with painting, mulching, roof cleaning and general cleanup projects from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition, Marines will be visiting veterans at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and will be mentoring Cleveland’s youth during ‘The Marine Week Leadership Academy.’ Participating recreation centers include: Cudell, Gunning, Lonnie Burten and Zelma George and a Brook Park Center.
The week will culminate with ‘Marine Day at Burke Lakefront Airport’, a variety of family fun activities on Saturday and Sunday. Scheduled events include: Marine Corps Martial Arts Program demonstration at 11 a.m., Military Working Dog Team demonstration at 12 p.m., Quantico Marine Rock Band concert at 12:30 p.m., Quantico Marine Band and Silent Drill Platoon performance at 1 p.m., followed by a simulated full-scale combat demonstration at 2 p.m., as the Marines highlight their unique capabilities to fight our country’s battles in the air, on land and at sea. Attendees are advised to arrive early and take public transportation. Outside food, beverages and coolers are prohibited. Lawn chairs and unopened bottled water will be permitted. Food vendors will be onsite.
On Sunday, Marine Week Cleveland will conclude with an official ceremony to not only thank the city for their generous partnership, but also to honor the Gold Star Families of Ohio and remember the sacrifices their loved ones gave in defense of this nation. As Americans, we have much to celebrate, but it is important to remember those who have paid the ultimate price so we may continue to enjoy the freedoms of this country. The closing ceremony will take place at Burke Lakefront Airport 3:30 p.m.
"The City of Cleveland is honored to host Marine Week 2012," said Mayor Frank Jackson. “While Clevelanders will have the chance to climb aboard the Corps’ equipment and participate in dozens of daily activities, Marine Week marks a wonderful occasion to interact with our Marines face-to-face and celebrate the service of the brave men and women from 3/25 and Ohio who continue to protect us and our freedom.”
All Marine Week events will honor and recognize Marines, especially those from and stationed in Ohio, for their service and sacrifice. Since 1962, the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, located in Brook Park, have served the Greater Cleveland area. Currently, more than 9,370 active duty and reserve Marines from Ohio are serving at home and overseas, including Marines participating in combat operations in Afghanistan.
All Marine Week events are free and open to the public. For a full schedule, please visit www.marines.mil/marineweek. For updates, follow Marine Week on Twitter @USMC (#MarineWeek) or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/Marines.
RTA will operate special Waterfront Line service from approximately 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. each day of Marine Week (June 11-17) to transport people to events at Voinovich Park, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Burke Lakefront Airport. All UNIFORMED military personnel ride for FREE on all RTA trains and buses every day. Additional information and details are here: www.riderta.com/marineweek
Media wishing to arrange for interviews, live shots, etc., please contact Capt. Craig Thomas at (571) 319-1329.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2012 14:55 |
| Story ID: | 89675 |
| Location: | CLEVELAND, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 903 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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