Know a Marine who both inside and outside the Corps you’d like to honor as it draws closer to its 250th anniversary celebration in November?
Here’s your chance to recognize them.
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s Marines Across America Program is highlighting Marines from Alabama to Wyoming who embody the values of honor, patriotism, and selfless service within their communities throughout the year.
“The idea is to shine a spotlight on those folks who have served in the Marine Corps and then have gone on to do great things in their local communities or the country,” said retired Maj. Gen. James Lukeman, President and CEO of MCHF.
Members of the public are encouraged to join the anniversary celebration and Marines Across America by sharing stories of Marines they know, both active and retired, who make a difference in their communities and in their professional lives. Submissions may be made through the Marine250.com website or via social media using the hashtag #MarinesAcrossAmerica.
The Marines of Alabama were recently celebrated as part of the effort. Among those who were honored were Bill Greason, former Negro League and Major League Baseball player; country singer Jamey Johnson and James Popwell, founder and CEO of Flgas for Vets.
"Marines have always made their mark on the battlefield, but it’s important to remember they’ve also made their mark in their hometowns and communities,” said Lukeman. “The list of notable Marines from Alabama is impressive and showcases how they used the values and skills they learned in the Marine Corps to become leaders in their communities.”
The Marines Across America program continues throughout the year, culminating in the official 250th birthday of the Marine Corps on Nov. 10, which will be marked nationwide with official cake-cutting ceremonies taking place at all 50 state capitols.
Lukeman noted that the vast majority of Marines do not make the Corps a career and return to civilian life after their initial hitch.
“So many of them attribute their success later in life to what they learned in the Marine Corps,” he said. “There are a whole slew of folks that people don’t know, from ER doctors to elected officials to teachers to philanthropists and non-profit leaders, athletes, actors in so many walks of life.”
The MCHF and U.S. Mint kicked off the Corps 250th celebration in December when commemorative coins were struck in Philadelphia. The gold, silver, and clad coins depict iconic Marine Corps imagery, from the Iwo Jima flag-raising to historic and modern uniforms.
Sporting events will honor the Marine Corps throughout the year, from national events such as the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game and a NASCAR race at Martinsville, Virginia that will be called the Marine Corps 250, to local events including Minor League Baseball teams that will feature Marines with custom theme nights and “Marine of the Month” recognitions.
In collaboration with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Marine Corps mascot Lance Corporal Chesty XVI and the Marine Corps will participate in the presentation of the colors on Feb. 10 and 11, to kick off the Westminister Dog Show at Madison Square Garden.
The National Federation of State High School Associations will also recognize the Marine Corps at more than 150 high school state championship games nationally.
At the National Museum of the Marine Corps, in Triangle, Virginia, visitors can explore Marine history and personal stories through new exhibits providing immersive experiences focused on the lives and missions of modern-day Marines, Lukeman said.
The celebration will also include the second traveling combat art exhibit titled “The U.S. Marine Corps Air-Ground Team.” It opened in January at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina and features unique artwork that captures Marine service and sacrifice. It will then tour the country throughout this year and 2026.
The Library of Congress will curate a collection display of Marine-related artifacts from its collections, on display through October and November.
The Birthday in a Box program is also set to provide digital resources to communities, organizations, and civic leaders nationwide, enabling them to host their own local Marine Corps birthday celebrations. Each kit will include event graphics, cake-cutting protocol guidelines, and a brief history of the Marine Corps birthday.
The fewer than 100 individuals designated ‘Honorary Marines’ by the Marine Corps will also be celebrated. The program honors those civilians who have made extraordinary contributions to the Marine Corps. Notable Honorary Marines include actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, acclaimed actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise, and legendary photographer Joe Rosenthal, who captured the iconic image of the flag raising at Iwo Jima.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
