Get ready Metro Detroit, because 700 Marines will be coming to Detroit in September for the 8th annual Marine Week.
The five day event will be held from Wednesday, September 6 through Sunday, September 10.
“Detroit is honored to welcome the United States Marine Corps to our city,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Our community looks forward to celebrating the spirit and dedication of the Corps, as this great city offers a spectacular backdrop for the events and ceremonies our residents can enjoy.”
Marine Week will be a mixture of community outreach programs throughout metro Detroit and free events that will be open to the public.
I suggest checking out the event schedule on the Marine Week website because there are a lot of things planned.
Here are a few of the highlights that will be going on during the week.
Each day will begin at 6 a.m. with Reveille. The day will end with Taps at 10 p.m. Both will take place in front of the Spirit of Detroit.
For those of you who enjoy waking up early for a good workout, the Marines will be holding morning workouts in Cadillac Square. The work out begins at 0700 each morning (that’s 7 a.m. for us nonmilitary folks).
Throughout the week the public will be able to climb aboard vehicles and aircraft that the Marine Corps utilize. The public will be able to meet and speak to the Marines that use and maintain the equipment.
The displays will be open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 6 through Saturday, September 9 and 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Sunday, September 10.
The community is also invited to see two Marine Air-Ground East Force demonstrations along the Detroit Riverfront. These demonstrations will take place on Friday, September 8 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, September 10 at 10:45 a.m. There will be a preshow before the event begins, so get their early.
I would be remiss if I did not include some of the more somber events that are also planned for the week.
There will be a wreath-laying ceremony with Gold Star Families to honor fallen Marines at 9 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday in front of the Spirit of Detroit.
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Memorial Wall will be in Hart Plaza from Friday through Sunday.
There will also be a public remembrance ceremony on Sunday at 9 a.m. in Hart plaza to honor those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Detroit will join the seven other cities that have hosted the annual Marine Week. Those cities include; Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, St. Louis, Seattle, Nashville, and Phoenix.
