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If you know a Marine, you know exactly how loyal they are to their country, the Corps, and their comrades. The motto of the Marine Corps is Semper Fidelis! (Always Faithful). To learn more about the Marine Corps, you can visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, 36 miles south of Washington, D.C.
Visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps
The spirited welcome of a US Marine is the perfect greeting for anyone visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps in the Virginia countryside. When you approach the museum, you’ll be taken with the museum’s physical structure—impressive with the shape evoking dramatic images of the World War II flag-raising at Iwo Jima.
The day I visited, a group of new officer recruits lined up outside the entrance in perfect formation. It made my trip through the front doors all the more poignant.
The building is impressive, and new Marine recruits lined up outside offered a poignant moment. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
About the United States Marine Corps
As you listen to the words of the Marine Hymn , “From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air, on land, and sea…” you get a sense of the history of the Corps. The USMC history goes back to November 10, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress declared with a resolution that “two Battalions of Marines be raised” to provide services on land in cooperation with the naval fleet.
The Marines served in the Revolutionary War. The Corps was re-established in 1798, fighting against France and even against the Barbary Pirates on the “Shores of Tripoli.” As you tour the museum, you will walk through the history of the conflicts. You will see where the Marines served and understand their roles on the land, sea, and as Marine aviators.
Marine Corps Museum Galleries
The Leatherneck Gallery surrounds you with images of honor, courage, and commitment in the faces and words of the men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Leatherneck Gallery. Photo courtesy NMMC
The marble-walled gallery features a mast rising through the air, with a Harrier from the historic ‘Tomcats’ Squadron flying overhead. Marines were depicted disembarking from a helicopter on the gallery floor.
The entire museum is just as amazing as that first view. There are ten other amazing galleries to visit.
The Legacy Walk
The Legacy Walk is a walkway connecting the era galleries and providing an overview of Marine Corps history with national and world events.
Legacy Walk at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Photo courtesy NMMC
Making Marines
Making Marines exhibit is a view into what goes on at boot camp.
The Making Marines exhibit explores boot camp. Photo courtesy NMMC
Defending the New Republic
The Defending the New Republic gallery showcases the first century of the Marine Corps during the American Civil War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War.
In the Defending the New Republic gallery, the museum explores the earliest history of the Marines. Photo courtesy NMMC
Global Expeditionary Force
Global Expeditionary Force is an exhibit that explains how the Marines work hand in hand with the Navy.
World War I Gallery
The World War I gallery shows how the Marines halted the German advance and ended World War I.
The World War I Gallery at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Photo courtesy NMMC
World War II Gallery
The World War II gallery highlights the heroic efforts of Marines on the ground and in the air during World War II.
World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Photo courtesy NMMC
Korean War Gallery
The Korean War gallery highlights the first US combat action of the Cold War.
Marines freezing in Chosin are depicted in the Korean War Gallery. Photo courtesy NMMC
Vietnam Gallery
Wander through the Vietnam Gallery to explore how the Marine Corps fought in Vietnam from 1965 to 1975.
Vietnam Gallery at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Photo courtesy NMMC
Combat Art Gallery
You can experience authentic images of life in the Marine Corps through photos and paintings as you explore the Combat Art gallery. The items in this gallery rotate, and many are on loan from other museums.
Combat Art Gallery at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Photo courtesy NMMC
Children’s Gallery
The Children’s Gallery features child-sized hands-on exhibits that mimic the Museum’s World and U.S. history theme. While designed for those under age 10, all ages are welcome. Museums educators are on duty to help answer questions.
Children’s Gallery at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Photo courtesy NMMC
It’s Not Your Typical Museum
This is no ordinary museum with rows of glass-fronted display cases. The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a living testament to our troops that encourages audience interaction. I was in awe, gazing at the first two flags raised on Iwo Jima, and fascinated with the lifelike depictions of Marines in combat.
The lifelike depictions moved me, like this one of Marines on Tarawa in World War II. Photo courtesy NMMC
Final Phase Galleries
The Museum’s 115,000-square-foot “Final Phase” building covers more modern events in the Marine Corps.
The galleries in this phase tell the story of the Marines from 1976 through the attacks on the United States on September 11. Other exhibits will showcase Marine families and the interwar years of 1919-1940. A section will honor Marines in sports, and an exhibit will depict the future of the Marine Corps.
Newer exhibits showcase the 20th Century and beyond, including the attacks of 9/11. Photo courtesy NMMC
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The Marine Museum Will Move You
But it was the Marines themselves that captured my heart. The human figures, cast in wax, look hauntingly real.
The wax figures were so lifelike. I could see the anguish, fear, and determination on each face. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
My heart ached when I thought about the young recruits and empathized with the mothers who sent and still send their children to rappel from helicopters and fight. I respect the young people who train to be medics and tend to the dying soldiers in the field.
The life of a Marine is depicted throughout the museum. Photo courtesy NMMC
As I wound my way through the group of new Marine officers visiting that day, I felt proud to be an American. Nothing in the museum has to do with politics. It has everything to do with honor, courage, and commitment. Let Wander With Wonder be your guide as you plan your visit to Virginia , Washington, DC , or another museum .
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National Museum of the Marine Corps: Honoring our Troops
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