Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony
The 3th Annual observance of Montford Point Marine Day was held August 25, 2022 at the Montford Point Marine Memorial, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, Jacksonville NC.
The Montford Point Marines were the first African Americans to enlist in the US Marine Corps after President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive Order establishing the Fair Employment Practices Commission in June 1941. The recruits trained at Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, NC from August 26, 1942 until the camp was decommissioned on September 9, 1949.
In 2010, Senate Resolution 587 designated August 26 as Montford Point Marines Day in honor of those Marines who displayed immense courage through times of prejudice and segregation because of their unconditional dedication to contribute to the betterment of their country.
Each year, the Marine Corps recognizes the Marines who were the foundation of integration within the Marine Corps. The Marines of Montford Point paved the way for the inclusion and diversity that the Marine Corps prides itself upon today.
Learn more at montfordpointmarines.org.
