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CHICAGO — Marines from Marine Corps Recruiting Command joined thousands of Chicago residents in celebrating Marine Week Chicago, a multi-day public engagement event held July 9–14 in honor of the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday.
Among the uniformed participants was Lance Cpl. Bruno, the official mascot of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region. Accompanied by his handler, Cpl. Sarah Grawcock, a combat photographer with MCRD San Diego, Bruno served as an approachable and memorable symbol of the Marine Corps—bridging generations, drawing crowds, and helping spark meaningful conversations about service.
“We had quite a few people come up to us throughout the week excited to meet Bruno because they saw him on social media or remembered him from last year,” said Grawcock. “He’s become a familiar face and a great conversation starter.”
During the week, Bruno appeared at high school visits, public static displays, and a large pool function hosted at Soldier Field—drawing children, parents, veterans, and future Marines alike. His presence supported a larger strategic effort to increase community touchpoints and generate awareness of Marine Corps opportunities for local youth.
Bruno’s appearances contributed to the larger mission of Marine Week: to honor Marine Corps legacy, connect with American communities, and inspire the next generation of Marines. His interactions added warmth to public displays of Marine toughness and professionalism, helping Marines engage with new audiences in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.
“From younger generations to older, it was rewarding to see how happy everyone was to interact with him,” said Grawcock. “It made people stop, ask questions, and want to learn more about the Marine Corps.”
Bruno’s third appearance in the Windy City—following past visits for the Chicago Air & Water Show and a Chicago Bears halftime event—demonstrated the growing connection between Marines and the people of Chicago.
Marine Week Chicago is one of six major outreach events taking place across the country in 2025, designed to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday. The campaign aims to increase recruiting access and awareness, especially among 17- to 24-year-olds and the communities that influence them.
As Marines continue to share their story across the country, Bruno will remain on the front lines of community engagement—inspiring smiles today and enlistments tomorrow.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2025 20:46 |
| Story ID: | 544319 |
| Location: | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, LCpl Bruno Connects Generations, Inspires Future Marines During Marine Week Chicago, by Cpl Eric Valerio, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
