Marine Week – a PR event like no other

Hundreds of U.S. Marines have been deployed across Boston to show off their latest vehicles, aircraft and equipment as part of their spectacular week-long public relations event. Marine Week: Boston is a celebration of the history and the pride of the Marine Corps. The hub of all the action has been on Boston Common where spectators got to walk through an MV-22B Osprey, sit in the cockpit of an AH-1W Super Cobra and get inside a M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank.

The hands-on experience spread across the city to include Faneuil Hall and Copley Place where the Marines have been eager to answer any questions about their job and the equipment they use to get it done.

Perhaps the biggest draw has been the Osprey, a tilt-rotor aircraft which is basically an airplane with vertical take-off and landing capabilities like a helicopter. It’s one of the military’s latest additions and is designed for combat and troop transport in urban locales as well as hard to reach areas. They are currently being used on missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since Monday, the Marines have also been involved with several community projects from volunteering at the Food Bank to helping on various environmental and neighborhood projects. They have also put on musical performances throughout the city.

On Saturday, the Marines will be hosting activities at Moakley Park and Carson Beach as part of their Marine Week Family Day. This is a must attend event as the Marines are going to perform a combat air and ground show. Translation: the Marines are going to storm the beach! That’s not something you get to see everyday as this is sure to be an impressive tactical military demonstration.

Finally on Sunday, a Mother’s Day Celebration will be held at the Charlestown Navy Shipyard where there will be a re-dedication ceremony of the Boston Marine Barracks and will also include more equipment displays and musical performances.

The Marines’ public outreach on this event has been great. Every single Marine I’ve had the opportunity to chat with has been very friendly and informative. They definitely are proud of what they do and it’s been a thrill to have them in town.

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Photo Captions:

Photo 1: A CH-53 cargo helicopter takes off from Boston Common - Jim Vachon.

Photo 2: Spectators make their way through an MV-22B Osprey during Marine Week - Rick Fink

Photo 3: A pilot stands outside the cockpit of an AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter - Rick Fink

Photo 4: A Marine holds out a MRE to a visitor - Rick Fink