Marine Week Comes to Boston, May 3 - 9

BOSTON, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Marine Corps, in partnership with the city of Boston, announces "Marine Week Boston," May 3 - 9. The city of Boston will open its doors to more than 600 Marines who will participate in a wide variety of community-based events and capabilities demonstrations throughout the city.

"As one of the oldest cities in America, Boston is rich in Marine Corps history," said Colonel Robert Durkin, Commanding Officer, 25th Marine Regiment, Marine Week Boston. "This week-long event will showcase the unique characteristics of America's Corps, allowing Bostonians and the greater Boston community to interact with individual Marines and celebrate the Corps' past, present and future."

Hundreds of service members from the New England area, many of whom are from Boston, have deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Marine Week Boston will honor these brave men and women as well as the many citizens of Boston who have provided their support from the home front.

Marine Week Boston festivities will officially begin when Mayor Thomas M. Menino proclaims May 3 - 9 as "Marine Week Boston" during a dedication ceremony at Faneuil Hall on May 3, and will conclude May 9 with a re-dedication of the Marine Barracks at Charlestown Navy Yard, which this year celebrates its 200th Anniversary.  

Throughout the week, Marines will work alongside Boston citizens volunteering at food kitchens and community parks, sharing stories of service to their nation with local students, conducting musical performances at area landmarks and encouraging children to become active through physical fitness challenges.

Boston Common, Quincy Market, Copley Square, Charlestown Navy Yard and Moakley Park will be home to dozens of Marine aircraft and ground vehicles, including Light Armored Vehicle-25 (LAV) and V-22 Osprey. Bostonians will have the opportunity to climb aboard Marine vehicles. Plus, take in the sights and sounds of Marine band performances, the Silent Drill Platoon, the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps.

Event highlights include:

• Marine Corps vehicles and equipment display at Faneuil Hall Market Place, Boston Common, Copley Place and the Charlestown Navy Yard (May 3 - 6, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.).
• A traveling museum exhibit from the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Copley Place (May 4 – 9, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.).
• American Airlines terminal dedication at Logan Airport featuring a Marine Corps Band (May 3, 3 p.m.).
• Marine Corps band will open the season with a concert at the Hatch Shell (May 6, 7 p.m.).
• Marine Corps will host a family day at Moakley Park, which is free and open to the public, including a Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration showcasing the Marine Corps' expeditionary war fighting capability, as well as musical performances and sports demonstrations (May 8).
• Marines invite all Mothers to a Mother's Day celebration at the Charlestown Navy Yard that will include a re-dedication ceremony of the Marine Barracks at Charlestown Navy Yard, equipment displays and musical performances (May 9).

Marine Community Service Events:

• Marines and volunteers will help to beautify the North East Shelter for Homeless Veterans; visit patients at the VA Medical Center in West Roxbury (May 4, 9 a.m.).
• Marines and volunteers will construct a Habitat for Humanity House in Dorchester Terrace; Marines and volunteers will perform a yard clean up and house painting at the Watson House in Cambridge (May 5, 8 a.m.).
• Marines and volunteers will help to beautify the North East Shelter for Homeless Veterans (May 5, 9 a.m.).
• Marines and volunteers will participate in a landscaping and painting project at Brook House; Marines and volunteers will participate in a park clean up and mural painting at Kelly Field (May 6, 9 a.m.).
• Marines and volunteers will continue yard clean up and house painting at the Watson House in Cambridge (May 6, 1 p.m.).
• Marines host Marine Week Boston Blood Drive at City Hall with American Red Cross; Marines and volunteers will participate in trail restorations at Franklin Park and Olmsted park (May 7, 9:30 a.m.).

* Times subject to change – please check website for any possible updates

All events are free and open to the public.

The official Marine Week Boston event schedule will be updated regularly and can be found at:  www.Marines.mil/MarineWeek.

For alerts and information, follow Marine Week on Twitter@MarineWeek.

Become a fan on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/MarineWeek.

SOURCE United States Marine Corps