The United States Marine Corps will partner with the annual Seafair Festival and the City of Seattle, Washington, to bring Marine Week 2014 to the Emerald City July 26 to Aug. 3. Marine Week Seattle 2014 is a celebration of community, country and Corps, and provides the unique experience to directly connect the American public and their Marines.
“It is an honor and privilege to be able to bring Marine Week to the city of Seattle,” said Lt. Gen. John Toolan, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force. “The 500 Marines that land in Seattle this summer will showcase Marine Corps capabilities with some of our most advanced equipment that we have.”
“It is exciting to build on Seafair’s longstanding support of the military by featuring Marine Week in the Festival’s 65th Anniversary year. Seafair is passionate about bringing our community together, and we are proud to help showcase the outstanding individuals who make up our Marine Corps,” said Beth Knox, president and CEO of Seafair.
For 65 years the Seafair festival has been about community. In 2014, the U.S. Marine Corps annual community event Marine Week will be added to the lineup. More than 500 Marines will be in Seattle from July 26 to Aug. 3, working closely with Seattle communities and allowing for Seattleites to meet some of the men and women who serve and protect our nation. Throughout the week, Seattleites will have the opportunity to learn about Marine Corps’ capabilities at Seafair and Museum of Flight events, including state-of-the art ground vehicles, aircrafts and other equipment. Marines will lend a hand to local communities through community service projects, such as neighborhood clean-ups and park restorations. The week will culminate with a simulated combat demonstration at Stan Sayers Park.
“Seattle has a rich tradition of support for our nation’s servicemen and women. Every year, the U.S. Navy plays an important role in our annual Seafair Festival. Marine Week Seattle will be a noteworthy addition this year,” said Murray. “As Seattle’s first openly gay Mayor, it is my pleasure to welcome all Marines, regardless of who they are and who they love.”
Murray has declared the week of July 26 through August 3 to be Marine Week in Seattle. Read the proclamation here.
All Marine Week Seattle 2014 events will honor and recognize Marines, including many from northwest Washington, for their service and sacrifice. The Seattle community is served locally by the Combat Logistics Battalion-23 located at Joint Base Lewis McCord in Tacoma, Washington. The battalion has 1,364 active duty and reserve Marines assigned and has supported World War II, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2003-2009. During OIF and OEF, the Unit was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medial for their service.
For a list of Marine Week events, visit www.marines.mil/MarineWeek.