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CLEVELAND – More than 80,000 Clevelanders attended the final Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstrations Saturday and Sunday at Burke Lakefront Airport before Marine Week Cleveland officially ended during a closing ceremony June 17.
Throughout Marine Week, locals took advantage of the opportunity to get a hands-on, closer look at Marines and their equipment, vehicles and aircraft at demonstrations, displays and exhibitions throughout the city.
“Cleveland has exceeded and surpassed all my expectations, making this the most successful Marine Week to date,” proclaimed Lt. Col. Michael P. Hubbard, the inspector instructor of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, at the closing ceremony.
Col. Michael A. LeSavage, 25th Marines commanding officer, agreed.
“This city has not only exceeded the expectation, but made us want to come back,” said LeSavage.
The Marine Corps built a strong bond with local first responders. This bond was evident as Marines and local police shared duties guarding the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall replica in Voinovich Park. Of the 36 police officers that guarded the wall at night, 21 had prior military service.
“Every night, for the past seven nights, your Cleveland police and Marine Corps League have been walking that Vietnam Memorial wall, relieving our Marines at [10 p.m.,] and doing that voluntarily until [8 a.m.,] every single day,” said LeSavage during his closing remarks.
“All I can say is Cleveland rocks,” exclaimed Hubbard. “Your superior support makes us want to come back here next year.”
“During Marine Week, we celebrated community, country and Corps,” said Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, the commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North. “The common denominator of those categories is the families. Our communities are made up of families. Our country is a tapestry of many families, and the Marine Corps operates as one big family. You have seen that this week, here in Cleveland.”
He continued to honor the families of the service members by recognizing their sacrifice.
“The family unit is the backbone of this nation, and it is the family unit that raises the men and women who chose to serve in the U.S. military,” said Hummer. “Our military families bear the brunt of the sacrifice. Through it all, I’m amazed by the resiliency of my fellow Marine families. It’s only appropriate today that we give tribute to all the families of those serving in the military.”
Honored guests of the ceremony included Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson as well as local Blue and Gold Star families.
“This was amazing,” said Barb Bower, outgoing president of the Blue Star Mothers, Chapter 7. “I’m a Navy veteran, but I’m more of a Marine mom. I’m so glad you came here.”
Blue Star Families is an organization for the families of service members. Gold Star Families include those families affected by the loss of a loved one while in military service.
“The entire Marine Corps family is never quite the same after the loss of a loved one in military service,” said Hummer solemnly.
“At the heart of every mission is our Corps’ greatest asset: our Marines,” said Hummer. “The Marines you have meet are from our nations next greatest generation.”
Marine Week Cleveland had three goals: to give the Cleveland community a chance to interact with Marines, to provide volunteer service and share the history of the Corps.
“Our mission has been completed,” said Hummer.
“Judging from the overwhelming support and positive reaction from the people of Cleveland, it has been a very successful undertaking,” said Hummer. “Thank you for coming here today and letting us honor your families.”
“It’s been phenomenal,” said spectator Paul Lord, of North Royalton. “Ohio is known for its Marine Corps members. This gives Marines an avenue to show people the different facets of the Marine Corps, not just combat.”
Marine Week Cleveland featured the Traveling Vietnam War Memorial Wall, Ohio Flags of Honor and displays of tactical equipment. In addition to static displays, Marine Week Cleveland featured daily performances by the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band, as well as demonstrations of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and military working dogs.
Marine Week Cleveland wrapped up with the final Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration at Burke Lakefront Airport and the closing ceremony June 17.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2012 19:23 |
| Story ID: | 90154 |
| Location: | CLEVELAND , OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 520 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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