On the way home...

On the way home, we decided to stop at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  My father was a Marine, along with several uncles.  My brother Jeremy still is a Marine, and little Brant plays Marine all the time. So a visit to the museum seemed like a good idea.  Let me just say, WOW.  It's amazing, and will warrant another stop, as we were limited in our time. But here's a peek at the moving and awesome museum, located just outside the gates of Quantico.

The museum is made to represent the Iwo Jima memorial.

Inside a 1900s era tent. There were shadows of Marines around a fire flickering on the side.

Standing on the footprints of a new recruit.  In the sides of the area, there are speakers of Drill Instructors yelling at the recruits.

Checking out the WWI war correspondent  in a bunker. Brant asked why he was in a  "hole."

There were military field phones with a lot of the exhibits, with narrated accounts of the engagements. With the more recent conflicts, there were personal accounts.

Brant wondered about this. Then asked me if a "Marine ever bandaged  your boo boo?"

This was the neatest thing ever...this is actually the entrance into this scene, through the helicopter.  The  floor of the helicopter shook, it was hot, you could hear the rotors and feel the wash. 

Nothing like a Marine in blues...except maybe my boys in front of a Marine in blues

Then we looked up and there were more Marines helo-casting.  Brant was totally impressed with this!

Enough said.  Our family has always been "well in hand."

Part of the walk up to the museum. There is a Memorial garden as well that we didn't get a chance to explore. 

If you are in the area, you don't have to have been a Marine, or a Marine family. You only have to be patriotic and this will be a moving, meaningful experience.