A place to reflect…
USMC Quantico Band
Triangle, VA – The newly built “Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel” was dedicated on 22 OCT 2009 with hundreds of people attending the glorious event on the grounds of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Someone in my growing network of friends extended an invitation to attend and capture this historic moment in time. It was a special invite and I was honored & humbled by it.
It had been nearly two years since a good friend, who’s a Marine and I went to spend what turned out to be a day at the museum. Likewise, I also “spent the day” mingling among the noted attendees, from the Commandant of the Marine Corps: GEN James Conway, and President & CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation:LTG Ron Christmas USMC (Ret.) and many US Marine Corps Generals…
The weather was perfect for this wonderful day. The chapel is situated on the top of a hill that is nestled inside of the “”Semper Fidelis Memorial Park” which will ultimately weave its way among the wooded acres in the museum’s complex.
USMC Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel
The attendees included a “star-studded” group as there was a whole section of Marine Generals on tap to hear the words of the Commandant, the Foundation President & CEO, Under Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Robert Work and the driving force behind the construction – Marine Captain & businessman Mr. Timothy Day who’s generous financial contribution expedited the construction of the chapel.
After the welcome remarks by General Christmas, the fine musicians of the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band provided an outstanding musical performance. We then heard from The Commandant who set the stage for the key placement of this new chapel … the Honorable Under Secretary Work then provided further insight to the significance of this new building of timber, glass and stone.
Interspersed among these two speakers were the memorable words of Mr. Timothy Day reflecting on how his US Marine Corps experience gave him the foundation to achieve what he’s done with his life so far. The chapel is his way of “giving back” to all the Marines who preceded, are currently serving and those to come.
The ceremony continued with a combined sounding of the bell that marks the entrance to the chapel combined with a Marine firing party that executed a “Three Volley” Salute followed by a Marine bugler playing “TAPS” - The Days’ (Timothy and his wife Sandy) along with Generals Conway and Christmas then cut the ribbon as the final step in the dedication of “a place to reflect…”
The interior of the chapel accommodates 140 people and provides a view through its “glass walls” to the surrounding woods and the elegant National Museum of the Marine Corps off in the distance. The glass wall behind the altar has an image of a Marine kneeling in prayer with the words of one verse of the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” below the image. Travelling on Interstate 95, the spire of the museum rises to the height of 210 feet evoking the image of the flag raising on Iwo Jima some 60 plus years ago during WW II.
I’ve posted all the photos I captured that day in an on-line gallery for your viewing & purchase – Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel Dedication
The new chapel reflects the continued expansion of the Marine Corps Heritage Center and the National Museum of the Marine Corps. In the Spring of 2010, there will be another significant expansion unveiled as the Museum will add to its existing 120,000 square feet of exhibit space and galleries that will provide insight to other historical milestones in the US Marine Corps timeline.
USMC Museum
From the last visit made in 2007, there are a few items in John Michael’s online store that have been created depicting the exterior and interior of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Tags: iwo jima, James Conway, Marine Corps Base Quantico Band, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, National Museum of the Marine Corps, Ron Christmas, Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel, Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, Taps, Three Volley Salute, Timothy Day, US Marine Corps, US Marine Museum, WW II
So honored to be among your growing network of friends! Keep up the great work, and I can't wait to hear how your conference in North Carolina went this weekend.