Lasting Legacy: Marines Unveil Mural at Marine Week Detroit

A group of Marines with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Detroit unveiled the mural they’ve been painting for Marine Week Detroit on Sept. 9, 2017.

The mural was painted on the side of the Marine Corps League, Montford Point Detachment 158 building in Detroit, Mich. Five Marines put over a hundred hours of work into the completion of the mural. The mural depicts the history and accomplishments of the Montford Point Marines, who fought in a segregated Marine Corps from 1942 through 1949.

“The big importance is just the Montford Point Marines,” said Lance Cpl. Meghan Millott, one of the mural artists. “We have the past Marines from Montford Point, and then we have the present Marines and it shows how far we’ve come as far as segregation and gender equality, and it means a lot.”

The five Marines on the mural team expressed how honored they were for having the chance to give back to the community and highlight the history of the Marine Corps.

“Our unveiling ceremony is a core event of our Marine Weeks, wherever we go”, explained Brig. Gen. William H. Seely III, director of Marine Corps communication. “It is a physical and enduring reminder of what your Marine Corps does, but it’s also a small gift to say ‘thank you’ for what you have done for your community.”

Marine Week Detroit kicked off Sept. 6, 2017 and will conclude Sept. 10, 2017. Marine Week’s purpose is to bring Marines to cities across the country that typically wouldn’t have interaction first-hand with Marines and the Marine Corps. This event highlights the purpose and mission of the Marine Corps, and strives to give back to the communities.