Homerun from Marine Week Cleveland

News: Homerun from Marine Week Cleveland

Marine Week

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Story by Sgt. Justin M. Martinez Subscribe To This Journalist

Cpl. Marcin Platek

Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, throws the first pitch for Marine Night at the Cleveland Indians game here, June 15, 2012, during Marine Week Cleveland. Outside the stadium, Marine Corps vehicles, aircraft and equipment were available for public viewing at the Gateway Plaza. Public Square, Voinovich Park, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are some of other venues that displayed equipment as well. Marine Week Cleveland celebrates community, country and the Corps. More than 750 Marines journeyed to Cleveland for the event. Ohio has more than 9,000 active and reserve Marines, making it one of the top-five producers of Marines. The culminating event for the week is the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demo, June 16-17, in which Marines will invade the Burke Lakefront Airport by land, air, and sea.

CLEVELAND – Locals at the Cleveland home game against Pittsburgh got a little more than they bargained for as two MV-22B Ospreys plowed through the air high above the stadium’s seats – all part of Marine Week Cleveland.

The Marine Corps League and the Indians hosted the pre-game event as part of Marine Night and also included a Marine Corps Base Quantico Band instrumental performance and Holy Angels Church Choir vocal talents.

The evening offered an opportunity to increase public awareness of the Corps’ values, helping to preserve a sense of trust between Marines and the community.

“It’s our kids and young adults that are potentially making the ultimate sacrifice,” said Joe Ward, a Cleveland native who frequently attends baseball games. “The Marines visiting the city gives me the satisfaction of knowing that the country is in good hands.”

The Virginia-based MCB Quantico Band, which has played at several venues throughout the week, echoed Progressive Field’s arena with their version of America the Beautiful.

“I caught the tail-end of the band performance,” said Tim Harrison, a photographer from Cleveland. “I was surprised by the diversity of sounds coming from the Marines. It’s almost got an orchestral sound to it. It’s beautiful.”

After the band’s performance, the most senior enlisted Marine in the Corps made his way to the field to throw the game’s first pitch.

“It’s exciting,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett. “It’s one of those bucket list items.”

Barrett added Cleveland has been more than accommodating to its service members and that celebrating community, country and Corps here has been an honor.

More than 750 Marines were in Cleveland displaying Marine aircraft, vehicles and equipment, as well as interacting with and educating the public on the values and character of the Marine Corps. One of the culminating events was the Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration, which showcased Marines' ability to assault from ship-to-shore via ground and air June 16 and 17 at Burke Lakefront Airport.