Semper Fiby Sandra Scott On November 10, 2006, the National Museum of the Marine Corps was dedicated to honor all marines by recounting their rich history.
The museum’s dramatic soaring 210-foot pinnacle evokes the image of the World War II flag raising on Iwo Jima. Visitors enter into the Leatherneck Gallery where the terrazzo floor depicts the transition from ocean to shore. Suspended over the gallery are four aircraft key to Marine history: a Curtiss “Jenny” from the “Banana Wars” of the 1920’s, a pair of Corsair fighters from World War II, and an AV-8B Harrier “jump jet.” On the ground, an LVT-1 amphibious tractor breaches the defensive log wall on the Pacific island of Tarawa, while a Sikorsky HRS-2 helicopter disembarks a machine gun unit onto a Korean War position.  The video, “What it Means to be a Marine” sets the background and explores the history of the Marines starting in 1775 when Captain Samuel Nicholas recruited the first Continental Marines in Philadelphia’s Tun Tavern. Tun Tavern has been recreated within the museum and is open for lunch.
 Patrick, the guide, explains, “There are only two kinds of people in the world – marines and those who want to be marines.” Each gallery offers an insight into the life of the marines during various time periods. In the Making Marines Gallery, wannabe marines learn what it means to be a marine by listening to the thoughts of wary recruits during their bus ride to the training depot, then stand on the iconic yellow footprints while being reviewed by a drill instructor followed by a visit to the barbershop where “it all gets taken away.” Patrick explains that the most important lesson of boot camp is learning how to solve problems as a cohesive unit, rather than as an individual. Recruits loose their individuality when every new marine is issued exactly the same clothing and supplies right down to the identical underwear and toothpaste. Visitors are invited to try their marksmanship skills at the M-16 laser rifle range. As the guide explains, “Every Marine is a rifleman.” Marines will relive their early days as a new recruit vividly remembering their drill instructor and the process that transformed them into Marines.
 In the World War II Gallery visitors enter a replica of a ship’s briefing room for instructions on their mission before landing on Iwo Jima then board a Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel for a simulated assault. On view is one of the original flags raised on Iwo Jima along with Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photo of the flag raising.
 In the Korean Gallery visitors will feel the chilling cold of the Chosin Reservoir, hear Chinese soldiers advancing up the snowy mountain, and watch the Marines prepare for the next attack. In the Vietnam Gallery learn about the importance of helicopters and experience being inserted onto Hill 881 South at Khe Sanh – a hot landing zone. The life and times of the marines includes their mission in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Combat Art Gallery features artwork created by marines.
 The most common comment by visitors is “I didn’t budget enough time.” While three hours is the suggested minimum time one could easily spend the entire day. Free docent led tours are available without a reservation.
Admission and parking are free. The museum is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day except Christmas. For more information check www.usmcmuseum.org or call 877-635-1775. | 