Sunday was a rainy day, perfect for hanging out in a museum. However, we didn’t hang out in just any museum, we hung out in the National Museum of the Marine Corps, which is just about 20 minutes south of us.
The museum covers Marine Corps history from its beginning in 1775 until Vietnam. They are currently working on the gallery spaces which will tell the Marine Corps story from 1976 through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dale and I will definitely have to come back for that since that is the era in which we served. Oohrah!
Anyway, here are some images for your own personal tour.
The entrance to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. It was designed to look like the flag raising on Iwo Jima.We enjoyed a snack in the Devil Dog Diner. The atrium area was filled with airplanes from every area.Watch out! He’s got you in his sights!This statue of a woman Marine was created in 1943 to help persuade women to enlist. She is referred to as “Molly Marine”. When I was in bootcamp every platoon would vote one of the women to be awarded the “Molly Marine” award for her exemplifying the core values of honor, courage, and commitment.This engraved powder horn is the earliest piece of Marine Corps equipment known to exist.The Marines were created to serve on Navy ships. This is an example of sleeping aboard ship. As the years progress, Marines became experts at amphibious landings and fighting on land. Marines were tasked with keeping the ship safe. This is what Dale did for three years when he served aboard the USS Iowa, which is a battleship. He was part of a Marine Security Detachment.This 37-star flag carried by Marines during the post-Civil War era, was flown by Marines in Japan, Uruguay, Mexico, Korea and Panama.There were many versions of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor since the Corps’ inception. This cover is one of the earliest versions of what today’s emblem looks like.Old school tank!This display provided an example of a battle in the Philippines in 1901. From 1866-1916 Marines were used in many locations which are referred to as the “Small Wars”. It was easier for the president to send in a small, effective group of Marines than the to send the Army, which would have been taken as more of an act of war.I did this once when I was on active duty. I hung from the bottom of a helicopter just like this. It’s called SPIE Rigging. SPIE stands for special patrol insertion/extraction. It’s a fast way to get into and out of an area.This area of the museum was dedicated to the Korean War’s Chosin Reservoir, which was extremely cold. The exhibit room was extremely cold to help make it more realistic. I interviewed a Marine who was there. It was extremely difficult for these men.The detail of each exhibit made it so special.I believe this was in the WW II gallery.Every emblem on this board represents a life given in battle on Iwo Jima.This is the flag that was raised by Marines and one Corpsman on Mount Suribachi – immortalized by the photo by the AP reporter Rosenthal on Iwo Jima.I think this was WW II, but not sure.This is the Women Marine uniform from WW II. It has changed very little over the years. This is the “alpha” uniform.The radio in this replica 1940s living room is playing the announcement about Pearl Harbor’s bombing.A Marine fights a German soldier.On old troop truck, WW II era I believe.WW I era gas mask.Model T trucks were modified for use during WW I.A combat correspondent types his article in a foxhole.
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