Marine Corps Base Quantico -- All in all, 2015 was a very good year aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. The base welcomed a new base commander, Col. Joseph Murray, and a new sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Gerald Saunders. Probably the most exciting news of the year was that MCBQ was host to the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games. But, many other stories made headlines pop on base. Some other things that highlighted the year follow:
In January, the Single Marine Program and Marine Corps Community Services began offering shuttle service on the weekends and holidays so service members could get around the base more easily.
February was a fun month as the Third Annual Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) cook-off was held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Chefs used the contents of MREs as their main ingredients to create delicious concoctions that would appeal to the masses, while giving people ideas on how they could make the meals more palatable in the field. The sister team of Tracy and Kathryn Gamble won the coveted Golden Canteen Cup award with their “Beef Brisket Pot Stickers” and “Three Star Toffee Fudge,” created from two MREs - a Vegetable Penne Pasta and a Marinara with Meatballs.
Spring was sprung in a big way for Marines, as the National Museum of the Marine Corps started construction on an addition to the building structure that will house a theater and new galleries. The new exhibits that will be available will showcase Marine Corps history from 1976 to the present.
March was the month that Officer John Covey of the MCBQ Provost Marshal’s Office received a bronze medal for valor from the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce. The honor was bestowed upon him for saving the life of a Marine on base.
Also in March, Crossroads Elementary School on Purvis Road opened its doors to students for the first time. The new school became the home of the students from Russell Elementary, Ashurst Elementary and Burrows Elementary. The new school was needed because the old school buildings were suffering from age and could no longer keep pace with changing technology or desired security features.
April started off literally with a bang when 300 Marine reservists participated in a fire support coordination exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico that emphasized integrated fire support between the Marines on the ground and their support in the air. The exercise included live fire.
Edson’s Raiders held their 69th and final reunion at The Clubs at Quantico. The unit was originally the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, but was redesignated the 1st Marine Raider Battalion in 1942. Members of the visiting contingent of Edson’s Raiders fought in WWII.
In May, the Single Marine Program celebrated its 20th anniversary with various events aboard MCBQ. One event included volunteers clearing nine miles of the trail system at Quantico of trash and debris to get ready for the 9 hour Cranky Monkey mountain bike race.
The summer season began with Lejeune Hall being evacuated due to smoke pouring out onto roof. Firefighters responded and the cause of the incident was determined to be a brief, planned power outage that activated the generator, which malfunctioned and caused the smoke. The building was on lock-down for an hour as civilians and service members who work in the building stood outside.
In addition, MCBQ played host to 35 Vietnam veterans who returned to the base where their military service began. They are all graduates of The Basic School, where they trained to be warriors many years ago. This was their first – and will be their only -- reunion.
Excitement was certainly in the air when MCBQ was host to the first ever Department Of Defense Warrior Games in June. The games are held each year so wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans from across the country can compete in sporting events. Previously, the Games were held by the United States Olympic Committee.
In July, the Quantico Youth Center was host to a Crime Scene Investigation workshop, funded by the Tiger Woods Foundation, in which local 5th and 6th graders were introduced to the tools investigators use to solve crimes. It is important to note that this was the first time the workshop was held at a military installation.
Marine Corps University dedicated its newest building in August to Sen. John Warner., who was in attendance at the ceremony. The building, Warner Hall, is home to the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the School of Advanced Warfighting and the Brig. Gen. Edwin H. Simmons Marine Corps History Center.
In September, the Marine Corps Marathon building was dedicated as Fowler Hall, in honor of retired Col. James L. Fowler, who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was the recipient of two purple hearts. “The People’s Marathon” was his idea.
During October MCBQ welcomed a celebrity to base, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. He came to address the students and faculty at Marine Corps University.
November was a sad month aboard base as everyone had to bid farewell to Edson Hall, which is scheduled for demolition. Edson Hall is located at Marine Corps University and was home to the Marine Corps Officer Communications School from 1955-2014. The building has been vacant since September 2014 when the school moved to 29 Palms. The demolition is expected to be complete this spring.
The year ended on a high note as most everyone on base caught the holiday spirit. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony was a big hit and MCBQ welcomed yet another celebrity, Miss Virginia. In addition, Operation Care captured headlines during the month. The organization is a nonprofit run by one woman who solicits donations of clothing, food and money and keeps a warehouse of items to help Marines aboard MCBQ.