Marine Week St. Louis

On 11 November 2010, the Marine Corps announced that the next Marine Week will take place from 20-26 June 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri.  The purpose of Marine Week is to “connect our Marines to the American public”.  It is the opportunity for community members to see Marine Corps equipment such as the Osprey, to view music performances by the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps, and to see performances by the Silent Drill Platoon.  More importantly, community members will be able to serve with Marines in St. Louis through service projects and the painting of a mural. 

Only 24 million Americans have served in our nation’s military, and about ten percent of these individuals were or are Marines.  There are currently around 242,000 active duty and reserve Marines.  The chance to meet a Marine and to discuss with him or her why he or she chose to become a member of the smallest and most elite service branch is the real opportunity presented by Marine Week.   There has been a great deal of discussion about the future role of the Marine Corps and whether the Corps should be downsized.  This conversation happens every few years, with the Marine Corps needing to again defend its role in America’s defense.  Come and see for yourself why Commandant Victor Krulak admitted in his book “First to Fight” that “America does not need a Marine Corps, America wants a Marine Corps.”

For more information about Marine Week St. Louis, visit the official website, follow Marine Week on Twitter, or RSVP for Marine Week on Facebook.