Marines


News
Base Logo
Official U.S. Marine Corps Website
Crossroads of the Marine Corps
Photo Information

U.S. Marines greet students at Quantico Middle/High School during a back-to-school celebration at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, August 22, 2022. This event welcomed students back to the classrooms, provide extra motivation, and well wishes as they start their first day of school following summer break. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Erick Reyes)

Photo by Pfc. Erick Reyes

Marines Welcome Students Back to School

22 Aug 2022 | Pfc. Erick Reyes Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Marines and first responders from across the base, attended the Crossroads Elementary School and Quantico Middle High School’s first day back to school on Aug. 22. The kids were greeted with high-fives and smiling faces as they got off the bus and entered the schools. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Michael L. Brooks, commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ) continues the efforts to foster a strong relationship between the Department of Defense Education Agency (DoDEA) schools and the base community.

“Today marks the first day of students coming back to school, here at Quantico Elementary and Quantico Middle High School, so what we really wanted to do is just add a little bit of extra enthusiasm for the kids coming back for their first day because there’s so much mixed emotions when it comes to the first day of school,” said Col. Michael L. Brooks, commanding officer, MCBQ.

The first day of school can bring about different sentiments for many students especially for military students moving and attending new schools. The goal of the event is to motivate and encourage the children of Quantico to give it their all.

“We have kids who are here for the very first year, and then we have those that are returning, so we just wanted to make a very special occasion for them,” said Brooks.

40 Marines and first responders from Marine Corps Air Facility, Security Battalion, and the Quantico band came together to support, and wish the students well as they embarked on a new year.

“I think they felt appreciated and welcomed with lots of smiling faces for their first day,” said Penny Rowley, school liaison, MCBQ, “Just showing that support, I think they appreciated that based on how they were responding to the band and all of the well wishes and welcomes from the service members, so it gave them a great start as they were entering the building for their first day,” continued Rowley.

The event received overwhelming support from the community; the hope is that it will continue to be an annual event with the DoDEA schools for years to come.


Marine Corps Base Quantico