Marines to invade Valley for ‘Marine Week’ this week

Sep 7, 2015, 6:59 AM Updated: Sep 8, 2015, 11:37 am

PHOENIX — 600 U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton in California are coming to the Valley to take part in something big.

Running Sept. 7 through Sept. 13, “Marine Week” events will take place at various locations throughout Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa and Scottsdale.

“Marine Week is an opportunity for the American Public to come out and meet their Marine Corps,” said Marine Captain Craig Thomas. “We work for the American people.

“A lot of times you hear our great ad campaigns, ‘The few. The Proud. The Marines’ but what does that mean?”

A written statement from Marine Week organizers says that the “Key Component” of Marine Week is to “Showcase the Marine Corps’ capabilities, technology and equipment as well as giving back to Phoenix and the Valley through participating in several community service projects and leadership building events.”

Marine Corps Lieutenant General David Berger said that your family can meet the Marines who are taking part in the event. “Shake their hands. Ask them why they are Marines, and what they do for a living,” Berger suggested.

You can also check out military equipment during the event. “Climb on the gear. Climb on the equipment,” Berger said. “We invite you to bring your families to the parades, to the static displays. The Marine Corp band will be here to do concerts, and the silent drill team will be here as well.”

There will be equipment on display in downtown Phoenix that people can actually touch and sit in. There will be a luncheon, a cleanup of Phoenix parks and other service projects.

Other notable events include:

ASU Day on Sept. 10 in Tempe. It includes an All-Marine soccer match with ASU, with Marines honored at a college football game. The Marine Corp band will also perform.

In Glendale, the Marine Air Ground Task Force will give demonstrations on Sept. 11 and 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

In Mesa, there will be a Marine Day at Riverview Park, with a Marine Corps Martial Arts demonstrations, and other demonstrations involving dogs and a Silent Drill Platoon.

Marines will be painting a mural in Scottsdale dedicated to the celebration of community, country and the Corps throughout the week.

On Sept. 11, a ceremony will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery in north Phoenix to honor those who died on 9/11 and while fighting the war on terrorism.

For more information and a full listing of the “Marine Week” events scheduled, please visit: http://www.marines.mil/CommunityRelations/CommunityEvents/MarineWeek2015.aspx

KTAR News’ Corbin Carson contributed to this report.