Program areas at Marines' Memorial Association
Our flagship club in san francisco contains a living Memorial that honors men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Throughout the halls of the Marines' Memorial, in the lobby, library, and restaurant, visitors can view artifacts, photos, and written placards that provide information on united states military history and the brave men and women who served, or are still serving, in all branches of the armed forces. We also added 13 individual bricks - reflecting 2021 and 2022 casualties - to our tribute wall, which now commemorates over 5,300 fallen warriors from operations enduring freedom, iraqi freedom, freedom's sentinel, and the pentagon during the attacks on 9/11. The living Memorial also encompasses our aid and assist program that provides services to active duty military, reservists, and those who are transitioning to civilian life. This year, we granted 698 complimentary memberships to Marines' Memorial to active duty service members and reservists. These free memberships give service members the opportunity to stay at our living Memorial in san francisco for a reduced price as they transition to new duty stations, attend training, network and connect with other veterans or serve on the front lines of the covid pandemic.
Last year, our commemorative and educational events moved primarily online to bring presentations from military historians, leaders in the military, and experts on national defense to our communities while at home. Our leading from the front series, a compilation of nine one-on-one virtual interviews, included "racial equality in the military" with carlton kent, former sergeant major of the marine corps, and m.k. Palmore, former marine captain and f.b.i. Special agent, "taking the lead from afghanistan to silicon valley" with tech executives, former marine officers and brothers don and adam faul, "leading side by side" with vice admiral and naval postgraduate school president ann rondeau, "h.r. Mcmaster's battlegrounds" with former national security advisor and retired army lieutenant general h.r. Mcmaster, among many more.
Due to the covid-19 pandemic, previous active duty care package shipments were delayed but last year, we were able to triple our usual shipments. We packaged and shipped over 260 care packages to deployed personnel who did not have any access to exchange services. We provided them sundry items such as candy; hygiene items such as lip balm, deodorant, dental & shaving gear; snacks such as trail mix and jerky; and miscellaneous items such as vitamin c; along with a book (or two), etc. All to reflect tokens of our appreciation for what they are doing for all of us.
1. The Marines' Memorial publishes a quarterly magazine, crossroads of the corps, to provide summaries of the commemorative and educational programs held at the club, articles written by our members, insight into the mission of the Marines' Memorial, and a calendar of upcoming opportunities. The magazine is sent both by mail and digitally to Marines' Memorial members, donors, active duty service members, and the local community. 2. In 2022, the Association awarded more than 30 scholarships to student veterans and students from veteran families, totaling more than $100,000. Each scholarship was between $2,500 and $5,000 and awarded to selected students based on academics, extra-curricular activities, and financial need.