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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Majority
Leader Bill DeWeese |
  
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DeWeese calling all Marines for national museum
HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – The National Museum of the Marine Corps, located on 135 acres near the Marine base in Quantico, Va., recently welcomed its 1 millionth visitor and announced plans to expand, according to state Rep. Bill DeWeese, who has been working to locate Marines throughout Pennsylvania in his role as the state liaison for the Governors Council of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
"I am honored to be the Commonwealth’s point man for this mission and it gives me great pleasure to talk to Marines about how they can be directly involved with the National Museum of the Marine Corps," said DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington.
Appointed by Gov. Edward G. Rendell, DeWeese is helping the Marine Heritage Foundation in its efforts to locate Marines from across Pennsylvania and involve them in the development of the museum.
"Representative DeWeese’s work of connecting with all the proud Marines in Pennsylvania helps ensure that all Marines have a voice in their National Museum and Heritage Center," said Lt. Gen. Ron Christmas (Ret.), President and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. "The Museum is a true national treasure and is the Marines’ gift to all Americans. We encourage all Marines to get in touch with Representative DeWeese."
DeWeese is in the process of collecting the contact information for all Marines in Pennsylvania and will continue to do so until every Marine is accounted for. The information will be forwarded to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation where they will include the Marine's name and dates of service in the Marine Corps Roll of Honor. Visitors to the museum will use kiosks to search the Roll of Honor and see the names and dates of service of all Marines.
Despite its enormous success, the National Museum of the Marine Corps is not resting on its reputation and is in the process of expanding, DeWeese said. The museum is world renowned for providing visitors immersive experiences, such as allowing people to have a drink in a full-scale replica of Tun Tavern, have a meal in a Parris Island-style chow hall, or stand on yellow footprints with a drill instructor yelling at them.
"It’s rare that civilians get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a Marine and the National Museum of the Marine Corps gives that gift," DeWeese said.
The museum also is expanding walking trails and adding benches and monuments in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, and construction will begin this month on Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel. In the less than two years since its dedication, the National Museum has become recognized as a top destination for Marines and families across the nation.
Marines interested in getting involved in the National Museum of the Marine Corps should contact DeWeese by e-mail at USMCmuseum@pahouse.net, or by mail at 110 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020. For more information on the National Museum of the Marine Corps, visit www.usmcmuseum.org. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year except Christmas. Admission is free.
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