It’s no secret — Essex County Leathernecks are celebrating the anniversary of the Marine Corps birthday. Some members have purchased commemorative Treasury coins or a 250th Birthday challenge coin collection (receiving one coin per month for a year) and of course, planning a birthday ball.
However, we are also celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary of American independence. The Marine Corps League’s mission includes patriotic volunteering and serving the community to make a positive impact. To put our mission boots-on-the-ground we offer an opportunity for you to celebrate this monumental year by joining a project.
“Revolutionary War Pension Project
The National Park Service and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) are collaborating on a special project to transcribe the pension records of more than 80,000 of America’s first veterans and their widows. The project will make a permanent contribution to the historical record for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.”
Perhaps you are intrigued? We encourage you to explore becoming a National Archives citizen archivist. For more details, visit the NPS project page to learn more about it and review the finer details of transcribing archives at https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/register-and-get-started
“In writing I am fulfilling an obligation I have long felt to my comrades in the 1st Marine Division, all of whom suffered so much for our country. None came out unscathed. Many gave their lives, many their health, and some their sanity. All who survived will long remember the horror they would rather forget. But they suffered and they did their duty so a sheltered homeland can enjoy the peace that was purchased at such high cost. We owe those Marines a profound debt of gratitude.”
Eugene B. Sledge, With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa
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