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thedrifter
12-23-06, 04:21 PM
Article published Dec 23, 2006
Be Our Guest
Marine ceremony was first-class

Edward M. Russell
Special to the Times-News

Recently, my wife and I, along with two close friends, had the honor and privilege of attending the dedication of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.The museum is located in Quantico, Va., at exit 150 off Interstate 95. With its 210-foot-tall spire almost overhanging the highway and 120,000-square-foot footprint, the structure cannot be missed.Through the generosity of our hosts, we were not only invited to the dedication ceremony, but also the "black tie" inaugural dinner taking place in the museum the previous evening.

Approximately 1,200 people from all over this great nation were in attendance.We were shuttled by bus from parking areas at the Marine base to the event. As we disembarked the shuttles, we were saluted by Marine officers dressed to the hilt, white gloves almost glowing in the dimming light. The women were escorted individually by an officer to the front entry of the building. And so began a most amazing and satisfying evening.In the main hall under the spire hangs actual aircraft used over the years of Marine history. Of special note to me was a FG-1 Corsiar, a plane crucial to our success in the Pacific campaign over the Japanese -- maybe even the one flown by Pappy Boyington himself. A Harrier jump jet hangs opposite the Corsair, also helicopters and a bi-winged attack aircraft from World War I.Also on the main floor are exhibit halls with displays and mock-ups of critical battles and wars fought by the Marines. The exhibits are very detailed with actual photos, artwork of the time, weapons used and re-creations of battle conditions right down to temperature.

The Vietnam hall was hot and humid, the exhibit on Korea freezing cold.On the upper floor are more photos, distinguished commendations, artifacts, an excellent mess hall and a full-scale working model of Tun Tavern, the celebrated birthplace of the Marine Corps.All night, we were surrounded by active and retired military folks, mostly Marines, who collectively gave the lion's share of the $60 million raised to aid in the construction of this magnificent structure. We met the president of the Fourth Marine Division Association, Iwo Jima survivors. He was an 81-year-old man who looked 70 at most.

We chatted for some time, and I begin to think, "What do you say to a man who has done and seen what this man had?" Thank you, of course.Even though I was a foot taller than he, I shrank in his presence.The entire building surrounds you with the histories of the men and women of this caliber who fought to keep this country what it is. With all this, and food and drink at every turn, the entire evening was more than first class.Under clear skies and moderate temperatures, the dedication was the following day, attended by some 15,000 invitees, almost all Marines.There were displays and memorials on the grounds, and for this event, a huge tent full of military hardware from computers to the most amazing amphibious tank I could ever imagine. The exhibit of drones showed the large with an 8-foot wing span to the small, about the size of a frisbee.When you look at all this technology and weaponry, you almost have to feel sorry for our adversaries.After a military jet fly-over and various speeches, the president spoke to the cheers and delight of the mass. In closing, he posthumously awarded our highest honor, the Congressional Metal of Honor, to a young Marine who had been killed in Iraq.

The young man's parents were in front of Mr. Bush and at the conclusion were escorted out by guard, weeping.We came away from this delightful experience realizing how truly amazing our military is. From the technology to the bull strength of our weapons to the quality and character of the military personnel, our military establishment is unsurpassed anywhere else on earth.The troops are professional, poised, disciplined and enthusiastic about their work, in my view worth every cent of tax dollars spent in my lifetime and beyond.I strongly encourage all to visit this incredible monument to the few, the proud, the Marines.Edward M. Russell has operated a general contracting business in the Flat Rock area since 1990.

One of the homes he built was for retired Brig. Gen. Jerry McKay, the chief operating officer for the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and one of the supervisors during the museum's construction.

Ellie