TRIANGLE, Va. -- The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation broke ground Aug. 13, 2013, on the Heritage Parkway and Timothy T. Day Overlook, in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, adjacent to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
The half-mile parkway, which is slated to be complete by 2014, will offer visitors an alternate entry to the museum and park from Route 1. It will also include a circular plaza with stepping stones and wooden benches that lead to the Timothy T. Day Overlook, which will offer elevated views of the surrounding area.
The $3.05 million parkway was funded by a Commonwealth of Virginia grant and made possible through a partnership between Marine Corps Base Quantico, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and Prince William County and the state. Branch Highways, Inc., a design-build firm based in Roanoke, Va., is the contractor.
Timothy T. Day, former Marine and chief executive officer of Bar-S Foods, donated $12 million through his foundation to fund the $2.7 million overlook and the completion of future museum galleries. Right now the museum only shows Marine Corps history through the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Day’s contribution will go toward the museum’s plan to expand their 118,000 square-foot facility to more than 200,000 square feet, which will include exhibit galleries, displays and classrooms that represent Corps history through today. For Day, who is also a founder of the heritage foundation, it’s an opportunity to immortalize Corps history and pay homage to those who serve.
“It is an honor to contribute, at least in some small way to the preservation and great heritage of our Corps,” Day said. “I think [the overlook and future museum galleries] will prove to be lasting treasure for all Marines, past, present and future.”
Miles Freidman, chairman of the Quantico/Belvoir Regional Business Alliance, said it’s a goal that the business community mutually shares.
“This project is critical for us because it will increase the accessibility and user-friendly nature of this jewel, and that means a lot to our hearts because we care so much about this museum,” Freidman said. “[Additionally,] it means so much to our regional economy because of the many visitors who come here.”
The memorial park has become a popular destination among locals and tourist, boasting more than three million visitors since 2006. With future expansions to the heritage center on the horizon, including the parkway, overlook, and museum galleries, Marines, past and present will have a place to reflect and commemorate the sacrifice of Marine Corps members.
It’s a vision that would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of the state, county, business community and more notably the heritage foundation that often served as a catalyst for expansion projects, said Col. David Maxwell, Marine Corps Base Quantico commander.
“The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is the keeper of [the Corps’] vision and in many cases they have provided funding for projects and vision for all the enhancements,” Maxwell said. “They have [accomplished] that by advocating on behalf of all Marines who now have a place to call home for our history, our legacy and our lure.”
Writer: afelton@quanticosentryonline.com