thedrifter
02-28-08, 08:54 AM
Group helps link reuniting Marines
By JENNIFER BUSKE
info@staffordcountysun.com
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
STAFFORD - Marine veterans from around the nation will descend on Stafford later this year thanks to Connecticut resident Joe Cullen and the networking group he formed for the military family he joined 56 years ago.
A Korean War veteran, Cullen created Marines of Long Ago "by accident" about seven years ago. The group is now one of several that visit Stafford County to host annual reunions. According to officials from Stafford County's economic development and tourism department, Stafford is recruiting military reunions and working with the Marine Corps magazine "Leatherneck" to bring more tourists into the area.
"Many Marines are eager to see the fabulous new museum and want to gather at a place this is affordable, not so tough to get around...and close to the base where many of them were stationed," said M.C. Moncure, Stafford's tourism manager.
Cullen said when he bought a computer seven years ago, he was anxious to start searching the Internet to reconnect with fellow Marines. After a short hunt, Cullen reunited with one in Florida, but whose health was failing. The two friends were able to rally a group together for a Florida reunion, but unfortunately, they didn't make it before their buddy passed away.
Cullen, however, enjoyed the idea of linking Marines and created Marines of Long Ago, which now has more than 4,000 members. The group reunites each year and plans to come to Stafford for the second time in September.
"The group votes each year and they wanted to return to this area because every Marine in the country wants to see the museum," 74-year-old Cullen said. "Fredericksburg and Stafford are also unique because they have so much to offer groups like ours. The hospitality is also superb and M.C. has been helpful in so many ways."
Last year, the Stafford reunion drew about 300 Marines from across the country, Cullen said, adding that many come from the West Coast. The group will stay in south Stafford's Wingate Inn and will hear from guest speaker Col. Charles Dallachie - the base commander at Quantico. According to Cullen, Dallachie was one of the few to survive the attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.
Over the September weekend, the Marines will visit the National Marine Corps Museum in Quanticosee a performance by the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, visit local historic attractions, share stories and meet people of all ages and walks of life, Cullen said.
"I'm so happy with what has happened with this organization and how it's grown," Cullen said. "Even though we are called Marines of Long Ago, we encourage Marines and military from all branches and generations to come. I'm just so proud of how many people we've been able to bring together."
For more information, visit marinesoflongago.org
Ellie
By JENNIFER BUSKE
info@staffordcountysun.com
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
STAFFORD - Marine veterans from around the nation will descend on Stafford later this year thanks to Connecticut resident Joe Cullen and the networking group he formed for the military family he joined 56 years ago.
A Korean War veteran, Cullen created Marines of Long Ago "by accident" about seven years ago. The group is now one of several that visit Stafford County to host annual reunions. According to officials from Stafford County's economic development and tourism department, Stafford is recruiting military reunions and working with the Marine Corps magazine "Leatherneck" to bring more tourists into the area.
"Many Marines are eager to see the fabulous new museum and want to gather at a place this is affordable, not so tough to get around...and close to the base where many of them were stationed," said M.C. Moncure, Stafford's tourism manager.
Cullen said when he bought a computer seven years ago, he was anxious to start searching the Internet to reconnect with fellow Marines. After a short hunt, Cullen reunited with one in Florida, but whose health was failing. The two friends were able to rally a group together for a Florida reunion, but unfortunately, they didn't make it before their buddy passed away.
Cullen, however, enjoyed the idea of linking Marines and created Marines of Long Ago, which now has more than 4,000 members. The group reunites each year and plans to come to Stafford for the second time in September.
"The group votes each year and they wanted to return to this area because every Marine in the country wants to see the museum," 74-year-old Cullen said. "Fredericksburg and Stafford are also unique because they have so much to offer groups like ours. The hospitality is also superb and M.C. has been helpful in so many ways."
Last year, the Stafford reunion drew about 300 Marines from across the country, Cullen said, adding that many come from the West Coast. The group will stay in south Stafford's Wingate Inn and will hear from guest speaker Col. Charles Dallachie - the base commander at Quantico. According to Cullen, Dallachie was one of the few to survive the attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.
Over the September weekend, the Marines will visit the National Marine Corps Museum in Quanticosee a performance by the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, visit local historic attractions, share stories and meet people of all ages and walks of life, Cullen said.
"I'm so happy with what has happened with this organization and how it's grown," Cullen said. "Even though we are called Marines of Long Ago, we encourage Marines and military from all branches and generations to come. I'm just so proud of how many people we've been able to bring together."
For more information, visit marinesoflongago.org
Ellie