A Commemoration & Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Congressional Charter of the Marine Corps League. August 4, 1937 | August 4, 2012 | Philadelphia, PA

Master of Ceremonies Les Rouse, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, Delaware County Detachment and Commandant Neil B. Corley, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc. going over there notes for today's ceremonies.

Mission Statement
Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines, FMF Corpsmen and former Marines and FMF Corpsmen and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

Guide on Fred Leclair, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, Chester County Detachment leads us to the Flag raising ceremony.

History of The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines and Navy FMF Corpsmen, who proudly wear or who have worn the eagle, globe and anchor of the Corps. It takes great pride in crediting its founding in 1923 to World War I hero, then Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune. It takes equal pride in its Federal Charter, approved by An Act of the Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States of America and signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The League is the only Federally Chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country. Since its earliest days, the Marine Corps League has enjoyed the support and encouragement of the active duty and Reserve establishments of the U. S. Marine Corps. Today, the League boasts a membership of more than 76,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, Reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine Veterans and qualified Navy FMF Corpsmen and is one of the few Veterans Organizations that experiences increases in its membership each year.

Guide on Jim Donegan, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, with Colonial reenactors.

The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected National Staff Officers who serve as trustees. The National Board of Trustees coordinates the efforts of 48 department, or state, entities and the activities of over 1000 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and overseas. The day-to-day operations of the League are under the control of the National Executive Director with the responsibility for the management and direction of all programs, activities, and affairs of the Marine Corps League as well as supervising the National Headquarters staff.
The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter and from its annual National Convention held each August in different major U.S. cities throughout the nation. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.

A forty eight star flag ( 1937 era ) will be raised as the bell tolls 0800 at Independence Hall.

Commandant Neil B. Corley, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc. assists in the 48 star flag raising ceremony.

Chuck Krautheim, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, Upper Darby Detachment #884 standing with color guard.

Master of Ceremonies Les Rouse, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, Delaware County Detachment

Sgt-At-Arms Dick Mansfield calls everyone to attention as the Independence Hall bell tolls 0800 Commandant Neil B. Corley, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc. begins to raise the 48 star flag.

At the podium Master of Ceremonies Les Rouse, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, Delaware County Detachment

Commandant Neil B. Corley, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc. addresses the audience.

Aide de Camp Anthony J. Capelli, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc

John Morris, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, Upper Darby Detachment #884 listening to the Commandants message.

Commandant Neil B. Corley, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc. introduces our guest speaker Col. John C. Church, Jr.

Sgt-At-Arms Dick Mansfield rendering a salute to Col. John C. Church, Jr.

Col. John C. Church, Jr. makes three important points about Marines and the Marine Corps League

Reenactor Barry Kelly as George Washington reading a letter to his troops.

Guide on Fred Leclair, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, Chester County Detachment leads us to Washington Square and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Reveloution.

Washington Square, originally designated in 1682 as Southeast Square, is an open-space park in Center City Philadelphia's Southeast quadrant and one of the five original planned squares laid out on the city grid by William Penn's surveyor, Thomas Holme. During a 1952 renovation of the square, it was decided that, instead of the original proposed monument to Washington, a monument to all soldiers and sailors of the Revolutionary War would be built. The monument was designed by architect G. Edwin Brumbaugh. His design retained a bronze cast of Houdon's statue of Washington as the monument's centerpiece.

The memorial (sometimes written as Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of American Revolution) was built in 1954 and features an eternal flame and a statue of George Washington gazing towards Independence Hall.

Pennsylvania Detachment Commandants getting flowers to be laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of American Revolution.

Commandant Neil B. Corley and Les Rouse leading the Pennsylvania Detachment Commandants.

Commandant Neil B. Corley places flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of American Revolution.

And a final salute.

Buglers: Dan Fitzgerald, Lloyd Spangler playing echo Taps.

These words are engraved in the side of the tomb. "Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness". "The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts of common dangers, suffering and success" (Washington Farewell Address, Sept. 17, 1796). "In unmarked graves within this square lie thousands of unknown soldiers of Washington's Army who died of wounds and sickness during the Revolutionary War." The plaque upon the tomb of the Unknown Soldier reads: "Beneath this stone rests a soldier of Washington's army who died to give you liberty."

Guide on Fred Leclair, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, Chester County Detachment leads us to back to Independence Hall.

Stewart Hughes, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc, Smedley D. Butler Detachment rendering a salute to our flag.

The 48 star flag is now lowered and will be given to Michael A. Blum National Executive Director Marine Corps League at the National Convention in Mobil, AL.

Then a second 48 star flag with bugle calls being played was raised and flown briefly over Independence Hall, then lowered and secured. Both of these flags will be presented to the National Officers of the Marine Corps League during the Marine Corps League National Convention in Mobile, AL.

The first fold of our Flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the
veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of
their lives for the defense of our
country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as
American citizens trusting, it is to Him we turn in
times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the
words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing
with other countries may she always be right; but it
is still our country, right or wrong."
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the
Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for
it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our
country and our flag against all her enemies, whether
they be found within or without the boundaries of our
Republic.

Adjutant PDC Leanna L. Dietrich, Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, Inc helps in the thirteen folds of our national ensign.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might
see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded. The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he,
too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower portion of the seal of King David
and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen,
represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are
uppermost reminding us of our Nation's motto, "In God
We Trust." After the Flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines
who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were
followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the
rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

National Park Ranger assists in raising the flag that normally fly's at Independence Hall.

Buglers Dan Fitzgerald, Lloyd Spangler playing while Revolutionary War reenactor looks on.

The Marine Corps hymn was played

Dismissed, job well done!