“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will perform at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on August 22. The concert will start at 7 p.m. in the museum’s outdoor plaza.
The band, the premier band of the United States Marine Corps, will play various music. This includes patriotic and martial favorites, selections from the wind band repertoire, works by contemporary composers, and scores from film and theatre.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. The Museum, Medal of Honor Theater, Rifle Range, and Museum Store will stay open for extended hours until the concert starts. Tun Tavern will offer service from 4 to 6 p.m., and outdoor concessions will be available during the performance. Admission and parking are free, and no tickets are required.
Updates will be posted on the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s Facebook page in bad weather.
Event Details:
– When:Thursday, August 22, 7:00 p.m.
– Where: National Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, VA 22172About the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation:
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, established in 1979, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Marine Corps history. The Foundation supports historical programs of the Marine Corps through grants, scholarships, and the renovation, restoration, and commissioning of historical Marine Corps artifacts and landmarks. The Foundation funded the construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center and continues to expand its programs. More information can be found at MarineHeritage.org.
The U.S. Navy Band Cruisers are set to deliver a performance at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on July 25, 2024, at 7 p.m. This event is part of the ongoing MCHF Summer Concert Series.
Formed in 1999, the band consists of nine Navy members. The name, inspired by the Navy’s multi-missioned Cruiser ships, symbolizes the band’s versatile musical capabilities. Their repertoire includes jazz, rhythm blues, classic rock, and pop.
The concert will take place outdoors on the museum’s entry plaza, with provisions for weather conditions. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating.
Before the concert, the museum and its facilities, including the Medal of Honor Theater and Rifle Range, will remain open until 7:00 PM, while Tun Tavern will close at 6:00 PM. Guests are reminded that alcoholic beverages are not permitted on museum grounds. The event is free to the public.
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (MCHF) announces that the last remaining USMC Mounted Color Guard will appear at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on May 23 and 24. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the Mounted Color Guard and watch live demonstrations. This event is a rare occurrence for the west coast-based Mounted Color Guard.
The Mounted Color Guard’s origin dates back to 1911 during the Chinese Revolution when the Mounted Detachment, known as the “Horse Marines,” was the Marine Corps’ only designated cavalry unit. This elite unit, stationed in China, was tasked with maintaining contact with American citizens in Peking, conducting census, patrols, and delivering dispatches.
The visit coincides with MCHF’s annual tradition of placing flags in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park for Memorial Day to honor fallen Marines. The event will take place on May 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. and on May 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, located at 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle.
Established in 1979, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Marine Corps history. The Foundation supports the historical programs of the Marine Corps in ways not possible through government funds.
By Alan Gloss and Sarah Romero
Dumfries is celebrating its 275th anniversary this weekend, amid budgetary woes as it prepares for a three-day extravaganza to mark the occasion. Originally, the town council approved a $100,000 budget for the celebration, but it was revealed Tuesday that planners had overspent by $28,000.
The result is a cost-overrun of more than 130%. Meanwhile, they were only able to sell 12 tickets to the gala and still needed more money to hire a local musician to entertain gala guests.
In a post made to X this afternoon, the town government maintains the gala event is “sold out.”
One of the main contributors to the budget overrun was that planners approved a menu of braised beef tips and salmon without regard to the cost of catering such a meal, said town officials. The catering company Aramark is being paid nearly $40,000 for the meal and is expected to make 350 plates.
During a town council meeting held Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Vice Mayor Monae Nickerson, expressing frustration at the overspending, raised numerous questions during council discussions. “To be $28,000 over budget seems pretty fiscally irresponsible to me,” Nickerson said. “Did it ever occur to anyone that a $40,000 menu was too much to spend on food? We’re a local non-profit government.”
Responsibility for the overspending was a matter of contention among council members. Vice Mayor Nickerson and Councilman Tyrone Brown pointed fingers at Mayor Derrick Wood, who they claimed not only oversaw the citizen committee responsible for the celebration but also worked closely with the planning company hired to plan the event. “You are a chef; you should have known that braised beef and salmon is more expensive than chicken,” said Nickerson, citing Wood’s personal business running a barbeque food truck.
In response to the criticism, Wood attempted to shift the focus to finding solutions. “We can go back and forth for 30 or 45 minutes [placing blame], but town manager, do you have any solutions for this?” Mayor Wood asked.
The town manager, Tangela Innis, offered ways to cut spending, such as not hiring musician Marcus Johnson, who commands a rate of $5,000 an hour for his performances, or cutting the fireworks planned for Saturday at nearly $11,000 for the 20-minute display. Councilman Sean Peet asked for ways to keep the fireworks “for the children” so as not to disappoint them. Ultimately, none of Innis’s suggestions were adopted.
“I work in the hospitality business and understand how expensive food has become,” Wood told Potomac Local News when pressed on the cost overruns.
Adding to the budget woes, planners had originally thought they could sell 300 tickets at $100 each for the gala, to be held Friday, May 10 at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The town could only manage to sell 12 at that price, then distributed the remaining 288 tickets for free the week before the event.
“It doesn’t make sense to me,” Nickerson stated. “Why would we use taxpayer money to entertain them in the celebration but then charge them to be a part of it?”
The council did not cut any events from the schedule and ultimately authorized an additional $35,000 for the event, with Nickerson voting against the measure.
The town council announced the three-day celebration in January. Among the many promises made at the time, officials said gala attendees could expect a well-orchestrated evening featuring a cocktail hour, musical performances by either the Army or Marine Corps bands, a buffet dinner, VIP recognitions, presentations, and keynote speeches.
The celebration, taking place this weekend, May 10-12, will include a series of events and activities designed to bring the community together to honor the town’s history, in addition to the gala. According to what little information is posted on the town’s website, there will be activities on May 11 and 12 at Garrison Park behind the town hall.
The 1.5-square-mile town in Prince William County is home to 6,000 residents and a soon-to-open The Rose gaming resort. The resort includes a hotel and restaurant and several video slot machines. It will be the first gambling business of its size to open in Northern Virginia.
As we gear up for the much-anticipated 275th-anniversary gala of the Town of Dumfries, we're curious to know how many of you are already in the loop about this historic event. Scheduled to take place at the prestigious National Museum of the Marine Corps. Potomac Local News has written multiple stories about the upcoming event, dating back to January 2024.
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National Museum of the Marine Corps:Â “The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) welcomed the 7 millionth visitor when Timothy Kapp, Jr of Youngsville, North Carolina, crossed the threshold on November 10, 2023.”
“Kapp, a Marine veteran with 12 years of service, and his wife, Kelli, traveled to the Museum for the Marine Corps birthday ceremony but traffic delayed their arrival. This is the first time they’ve been thankful for traffic jams, according to Kapp.”
“Museum Acting Director David Vickers gave Kapp a surprise ‘behind the scenes’ look at the coming galleries, which tell Marine Corps history from 1976 to 2016. The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation presented Kapp with a gift bag containing NMMC and Marine Corps memorabilia and a certificate for a memorial brick honoring Kapp as the 7 millionth visitor.”
“The NMMC opened its doors on November 10, 2006, the 231st birthday of the Marine Corps. Since that day, an average of nearly 412,000 visitors per year have experienced the history of the Corps.”
“Many visitors are veterans who experienced the history first-hand. Thousands of students visit each year as well, gaining insight into the past in order to successfully lead in the future. Many young Marines were inspired to join simply because they visited this beautiful monument–a testament to the honor, courage, commitment and sacrifice that epitomizes the United States Marine Corps.”
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation:Â “The National Museum of the Marine Corps is hosting a series of events to celebrate the holiday season.”
“Admission to the Museum and parking are free, and all events are open to the general public. The full list of events can be found online.”
“Holiday Film Series: The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s annual holiday film series continues in 2023 with four movies showing on the Museum’s Medal of Honor Theater giant screen throughout December.”
You can find the theater at 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle.
“Tickets are $8 each and can be purchased online. Moviegoers can add a snack bundle to enjoy during the show. Showings are on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.”
- December 9-10: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
- December 16-17: Home Alone
- December 23-24: A Year Without a Santa Claus
“Cookies, Cocoa, and Crafts: Create holiday memories at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Dec. 9. From 12-3 p.m., kids can enjoy free cookies and cocoa while creating a holiday themed picture frame on the second floor of the Museum. While supplies last.”
“Santa Claus Visits: Santa Claus is paying a visit to the Museum on December 9 and 12 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Families can meet Santa and take photos with him. To ensure a photo with Santa, families must be in line by 3:00 p.m. and bring their own camera.”
National Museum of the Marine Corps: “The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) welcomed the 7 millionth visitor when Timothy Kapp, Jr of Youngsville, N.C. crossed the threshold on November 10, 2023.”
“Kapp, a Marine veteran with 12 years of service, and his wife, Kelli, traveled to the Museum for the Marine Corps birthday ceremony but traffic delayed their arrival. This is the first time they’ve been thankful for traffic jams, according to Kapp.”
“It was so awesome coming up the parade deck and having everyone wishing each other a happy birthday. This is the Marine’s house so it just feels right to be here on the birthday. Being the 7 millionth visitor is a real bonus,” Kapp said with obvious pride.
“Museum Acting Director David Vickers gave Kapp an even bigger bonus with a surprise “behind the scenes” look at the coming galleries, which tell Marine Corps history from 1976 to 2016. Those galleries aren’t open to the public yet but Vickers reasoned that “When we get to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 248th birthday, the Museum’s 17th birthday and our 7 millionth visitor all in one day it calls for something very special.”
“The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation presented Kapp with a gift bag containing NMMC and Marine Corps memorabilia and a certificate for a memorial brick honoring Kapp as the 7 millionth visitor.”
“On behalf of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, I am proud to congratulate you as the seven millionth visitor to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. You are the reason why we do what we do at the Foundation. Why we built this place, why we continue to share Marine Corps history and traditions. You represent the 7 million individuals who have visited and the 7 million who are yet to come. Semper Fi, Marine,” MajGen James Lukeman (RET), President and Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation told Capp.
“The NMMC opened its doors on November 10, 2006, the 231st birthday of the Marine Corps. Since that day, an average of nearly 412,000 visitors per year have experienced the remarkable history of the Corps, artfully and accurately depicted throughout the galleries. Many visitors are veterans who experienced the history first-hand, who have often shared stories their families had never heard, or wept with their brothers and sisters in arms, but stood a bit taller as they exited the front doors. Thousands of students visit each year as well, gaining significant insight into the past in order to successfully lead in the future. Many young Marines were inspired and motivated to join simply because they visited this beautiful monument–a testament to the honor, courage, commitment and sacrifice that epitomizes the United States Marine Corps.”
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation:Â “The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is holding its second Classic Car Show on Sunday, October 15 at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.”
The National Museum of the Marine Corps can be found at 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle.
“The free event is open to the public. Individuals and car groups interested in entering their vehicles (25 years or older) should use the form. Vehicle registration is free, but space is limited. Please register before Thursday, October 12, at 5 p.m.”
“The Museum is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the day of the event. All visitors to the classic car show will be able to visit the Museum, enjoy lunch at Tun Tavern or Devil Dog Diner, visit the Museum Gift Shop, test your aim at the simulated rifle range and watch the film ‘We, the Marines’ on the giant screen in the Medal of Honor Theater.”
“9:30-10:30 a.m.: Registered Vehicle Check-in and 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Car show open to the public.”
