The United States Marine Corps Celebrates the Places Marines Call Home in Honor of Black History Month

QUANTICO, Va., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Black History Month, the United States Marine Corps is honoring the communities Marines proudly call home with the launch of the 2012 "Where I'm From" Black History Month campaign.

Building off the success of the award-winning 2011 campaign, this year's celebration includes a thirty-second (:30) "Where I'm From" television commercial, print advertisements, online displays and a mobile component that will be featured nationwide throughout the month of February. A highlight of the campaign is the "Where I'm From" interactive map, found at www.marines.com/whereimfrom, where visitors can click on their hometowns and post inspirational messages for the Marines who serve in their community.

Also placed throughout the map are video profiles of Marines reflecting on their hometowns, childhood memories and the influential people in their lives. Each Marine shares a unique story of why they chose to join the Marine Corps.

"I say I'm a Marine, and that's when everybody really looks at me and -- takes that breath, like -- wow, that's amazing," said Sergeant Analise Perez, who proudly represents her hometown of Lawrence, MA, in the campaign and every day as a United States Marine. "The Marine Corps has opened my eyes. It has brought me a new life."

The other Marines featured represent the towns of Vallejo, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Harlem, New York. Their stories can also be found at www.marines.com/whereimfrom on the interactive map.

In addition to honoring the hometowns of today's Marines, the Marine Corps is also recognizing the contributions and achievements of the first African Americans to be sworn in as United States Marines.

The inspirational stories about these brave individuals, also referred to as the Montford Point Marines, are told through the lens of three living Montford Point Marines with commentary from three active-duty Marines and can be found by visiting www.lifeasamarine.com. Visitors can watch as the Montford Point Marines reflect on what it was like for the first African Americans to join the Marine Corps.

"We are taking this opportunity during Black History Month to celebrate the histories of United States Marines of the past and present," said Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Peterson, Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Recruiting Command. "But we must recognize this brave group of individuals for their heroism not only during Black History Month but every day."

Leading multicultural agency UniWorld Group worked with the Marine Corps to develop the "Where I'm From" campaign. 

For more information on the Marine Corps, its history and opportunities available, visit www.marines.com/whereimfrom or call 1-800-Marines.

SOURCE United States Marine Corps