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Gen. Robert B. Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Lt.
Gen. Rex C. McMillian, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine
Forces North, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the
official unveiling of the Marine Corps Reserve Centennial wall
display at the Pentagon, Arlington, VA on November 9, 2016.
The display is located on the fourth floor, A-ring, between the
third and fourth corridors and stands opposite the pre-existing Navy
Reserve Centennial display.
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The Marine Corps Reserve Centennial wall display was completed at
the Pentagon, Arlington, VA on September 28, 2016 ... in conjunction
with the 100th anniversary of the Marine Corps Reserve, which was
celebrated August 29, 2016. It was officially unveiled during a
ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 9, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps
photo by Gunnery Sgt. Elizabeth Inglese)
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"The exhibit is meant to be part of one cohesive corridor," said
Elizabeth M. Inglese, project graphic artist for the Marine Corps
Centennial. "It shows 100 years of the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve
together."
Even though the Centennial was celebrated August
29th, the wall was unveiled in November close to the celebration of
the 241st Marine Corps Birthday.
“A lot of attention is
given to the Marine Corps during this time of year, so it made sense
to have the official unveiling of the exhibit now,” said Gunnery
Sgt. Elizabeth Inglese.
According to Gunnery Sgt. Brian A.
Knowles, project historian for the Marine Corps Reserve Centennial,
the wall portrays what the Marine Corps Reserve has done in its 100
year history.
“It does this by hitting the wave tops of the
major conflicts the Marine Corps Reserve has been activated for,
dating back from World War I through Operations Iraqi Freedom and
Enduring Freedom,” Knowles said.
The display is unique in
that there are three life-size images of Marines in uniform that
change as you walk by them. As one passes by the exhibit, the
uniforms of the Marines change from World War I, World War II, and
Korean War uniforms to ones from modern day conflicts.
The
Pentagon is the headquarters of the Department of Defense and the
wall display is located on the same floor as the Secretary of the
Navy.
“I think it is important that you have a display because the
decision makers in the Pentagon need to have awareness of the Marine
Corps Reserve,” said Cori Parker, the project director for the
Marine Corps Reserve Centennial.
Anyone who takes a tour of
the Pentagon through the Pentagon Tours program will also be able to
see the display.
“The Pentagon is almost like a Smithsonian
Museum in terms of military history,” Parker said. “I think it worth
mentioning the significant contributions of Reserve Marines for the
public to see.”
Lt. Gen. McMillian stated, in a speech during
the ceremony, that the Reserve Component has been ready to support
and augment the Active Component since its inception during World
War I.
"Throughout our history, every one of our units has
been mobilized and sent down range into the fight," Lt. Gen.
McMillian said.
He also thanked the commandant for his
support to the Reserve Component.
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Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, Gen.
Robert B. Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. Gen. Rex C.
McMillian, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces
North, and Sgt. Maj. Patrick L. Kimble, sergeant major of MARFORRES
and MARFORNORTH, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official
unveiling of the Marine Corps Reserve Centennial wall display at the
Pentagon, Arlington, VA on November 9, 2016. The exhibit was
installed at the Pentagon in conjunction with the 100th anniversary
of the Marine Corps Reserve, which was celebrated August 29, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ian Leones)
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“They were ready to go, commandant," Lt. Gen. McMillian
said. “I want to express our gratitude and thanks for the
support you give us in the Reserve Component to be part of
the total force, and for supporting our history with the
ribbon-cutting of this wall."
While the exhibit
highlights past accomplishments, Reserve Marines will
continue to complete the mission of the Marine Corps.br>
“Reserve Marines
have always been there to drop what they were doing in their
civilian occupations and go back to being a Marine whenever
and wherever needed,” Knowles said.
During World War
II, by September of 1945, Reserve Marines made up 70 percent
of total wartime Marine Corps personnel. Since September 11,
2001, more than 86,300 mobilizations from the Marine Corps
Reserve have been mobilized in support of the Wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan. Reserve Marines have been fully engaged
across the globe over the past 15 years of combat
operations, serving as the essential shock absorber and
force enabler for our Active Component.
Today,
approximately 500 Reserve Marines are providing fully
integrated global operational support to the fleet and
combatant commanders.
More
information on the history and heritage of the Marine Corps Reserve
along with current Marine stories and upcoming Centennial events
By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ian Leones
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
The U.S. Marines
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