The promo for Marine Week St. Louis said that after this week, the city of St. Louis would never be the same. After just one day of events, I believe it.
Marine Week kicked off this morning when Marine aircraft landed in three locations in downtown St. Louis. As I stood outside the hotel, watching the MV-22 Osprey helicopter land in a field beside Busch Stadium, I got chills. There in front of me was all the glory and wonder of the Marine Corps at its finest. I could hardly believe that I was a part of it. But this was only the beginning.
For the rest of this week, the Marine Corps will pull out all the stops as it enamors the city with its finest. Citizens of St. Louis are invited to the free events, including static displays featuring Marine vehicles and weaponry, martial arts demonstrations, working dog demonstrations and performances by the MCLB Albany Marine Band. Marines will be available to explain and demonstrate firsthand to the public just what it is that they do everyday.
Marines aren’t just showing St. Louisans what we do; they’re showing them who we are. Marines are making a lasting impact on the Gateway City through multiple community service projects throughout the week. They will team with organizations to build playgrounds, restore trails and clean up neighborhoods. By the end, the citizens of St. Louis will have caught a glimpse of the values and heart that make up a Marine.