IT'S FOURTH OF JULY AND THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MARINE CORPS IS OPEN!

by Robert Stebbins 

NATIONAL USMC MUSEUM

LT. GENERAL LEWIS B. "CHESTY" PULLER

with Robert Stebbins

Recently, I jumped on a crowded airplane and flew to South Carolina to visit my first and oldest friend, Billy D. Hill. We met in Clovis, New Mexico in 1938 when he was six and I was five, friends for seventy-six years.  The almost 1,000 mile round trip enabled us to relive school memories, enlisting in the Marine Corps, attending the University of New Mexico together, and then going our separate ways in our careers and eventual retirement. 

       We hadn't seen one another for a few years and wanted to spend some quality time together.  So, we decided to visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps located at Triangle, Virginia, 36 miles south of Washington, D.C. It is just off of I-95 at exit 150 and can be seen from the highway.  The architecture of the museum evokes memories of the raising of our U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima in 1945 during World War II. The museum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.  Admission is free, and parking is free.  It opened in 2006, and occupies 120,000 square feet with another 80,000 square feet on the way, including exhibits on Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Marine Corps base at Quantico is nearby. The museum is funded jointly by the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

MARINE CORSAIR

     If you don't envision a trip in person, you can visit the museum at  www.virtualusmcmuseum.com.  I suggest you first check out the instructions in the upper right corner on how to navigate the website. It's a good one.

     We were particularly impressed by the Iwo Jima exhibit at the museum. Frank Matthews, an 88 year old former Marine, Iwo Jima veteran and docent, works 20 hours a week to tell of his experience on Iwo Jima operating a flamethrower. You can find his story by Googling "Frank Matthews Iwo Jima".   Billy and I felt privileged to shake Frank's hand.

     South Carolina, well, it is a little different from California.  Temperatures ranged in the low 90's with accompanying humidity.  Not exactly the San Diego area.  But, the food alone was worth the trip.  We had delicious ribs with seconds and thirds all included in the price.  I now know where the National Football League finds its defensive linemen.  Everyone is overly friendly.  You just can't pay your check or buy anything without striking up a conversation with someone you have never seen before.

USMC MACHINE GUNNER

     So, if you are ever on the east coast, save some time to visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  Remember, admission is free, parking is free, and it is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. If you are even slightly interested in history, especially that of World War II and Marines in the Pacific, I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

SGT. ROBERT STEBBINS, USMC

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For Mil's Place

Story and Pictures by Robert Stebbins

7/1/14