Brighten up the holidays at the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico on December 3 at 4 p.m. with the lighting of the 30 ft. Christmas tree.

• This event pays special homage to those brave men who were shaping up the “decisive actions” of WWII in the Pacific 75 years ago.
• “Every Marine who spends Christmas in service away from home is actually keeping Christmas in his home. He is making sure that the forces which have gravely threatened it are thoroughly defeated…” Marine Corps Commandant LtGen. Alexander A. Vandergrift wrote in his 1944 Christmas message to Marines around the world. “On this fourth wartime Christmas he has gone far toward that end. The enemy forces in the Pacific have been driven back to their innermost ring of defenses.”

It is fitting that 75 years later we should continue to honor those sacrifices. The official “tree lighter” is Jack Elliott, a WWII veteran who also served in Korea and Vietnam and currently serves as a docent at the Museum.

• With live music, a special WWII themed tree and Marines in period uniforms, the event promises to be a can’t miss holiday event. Guests are welcome to dress in period wear as well, though it is not mandatory.

The tree lighting is just the first in many holiday happenings at the Museum.

Santa visits on December 14 and 17. Come dressed for holiday photos and be sure to bring a camera. Of course, the little ones will also want to bring their list for the jolly old elf. Preschool Playdate on December 10 is an opportunity for those 5 and under to have some “Holiday Fun with Chesty.”

Live music with the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band ensembles and the President’s Own Marine Corps Band will get everyone in the holiday spirit. There will even be special screenings of “Polar Express” in the Medal of Honor Theater.

Join the Museum in celebrating the holidays and don’t forget a toy for the Marine Corps Toys-for-Tots program.

Don’t miss these any of these festive events in December:
3 Dec. 4 p.m. – Holiday Tree Lighting
7 Dec. 12 p.m. – Holiday Concert with MCB Quantico Brass Quintet
10 Dec. 10:00 -11:30 a.m. – Preschool Playdate “Holiday Fun with Chesty”
10 Dec. 11:30 a.m. – Holiday Concert with MCB Quantico Brass Band
14 Dec. 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Visit with Santa. Be sure to bring your camera!
14 Dec. 7:30 p.m. – President’s Own Marine Corps Band Holiday Concert and Sing-along
17 Dec. 1:00 p.m. – Holiday Concert with MCB Quantico Brass Quintet
17 Dec. 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Visit with Santa. Be sure to bring your camera.
20 Dec. 11:30 a.m. – Holiday Concert with MCB Quantico Brass Band

The Museum is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. It is located at 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway in Triangle, VA and is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily except December 25th.

Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call 703-784-6107 or visit on the web at usmcmuseum.com.