Marine Corps
GalleryMarine Corps celebrates 250th birthday with weekend events across Atlanta
Stars and Stripes
September 1, 2025
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U.S. Marines with the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps present the colors during Marine Week Atlanta in Georgia, Aug. 31, 2025. (Samantha Pollich/U.S. Marine Corps)
The Marine Corps visited Atlanta to celebrate the service’s 250th anniversary.
Marine Week Atlanta took place during Labor Day weekend and featured performances by the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, a flyover of MV-22 Osprey aircraft, static displays of military equipment, physical training sessions and opportunities to interact with Marines.
The Marine Corps will be in Philadelphia next for Navy-Marine Week on Oct. 9-16. The official 250th birthday of the Corps is Nov. 10, and the Navy’s is Oct. 13.
Three other cities have hosted Marine Week this year: Nashville, Tenn.; Chicago; and Boston.
A U.S. Marine assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-250, interacts with an attendee during Marine Week Atlanta on Aug. 31, 2025. (Kiara Rawls/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Shawn Harris, a motor vehicle operator assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-250, shows spectators an armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HUMMVEE) as part of Marine Week Atlanta on Aug. 30, 2025. (Alexis French/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marine Sgt. Alex Rojas, assigned to Marine Barracks Washington, hugs a child during Marine Week Atlanta on Aug. 31, 2025. (Kiara Rawls/U.S. Marine Corps)
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band plays for the crowd during Marine Week Atlanta, Aug. 30, 2025. (Alexis French/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Elizabeth Marino, a vocalist with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band performs the national anthem during Marine Week Atlanta on Aug. 31, 2025. (Samantha Pollich/U.S. Marine Corps)
Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, left, and U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Ahmed T. Williamson, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Paris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region, salute during taps at a wreath-laying ceremony at Piedmont Park during Marine Week Atlanta on Aug. 30, 2025. (Isabella Ramos/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marines Corps Sgt. Travis Cotnoir, a MV-22 Osprey crew chief, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 250, does his preflight checks at Cobb County International Airport, Kennesaw, Ga., during Marine Week Atlanta on Aug. 31, 2025. (Alexis French/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marines Corps Capt. Conner Wheatley, a C-130 Hercules pilot with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 250, attends a meeting prior to takeoff at Cobb County International Airport, Kennesaw, Ga., during Marine Week Atlanta, Aug. 31, 2025. (Alexis French/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marines Corps MV-22 Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 250, flyover Mercedes-Benz Stadium during Marine Week Atlanta on Aug. 31, 2025. (Alexis French/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marines assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-250, and members of the Middle Georgia Young Marines Program, participate in the confidence course at Camp Southern Ground, in Fayetteville, Ga., during Marine Week Atlanta on Aug. 30, 2025. (Kiara Rawls/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marines assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 45, take part in the confidence course at Camp Southern Ground during Marine Week Atlanta on Aug. 30, 2025. (Matthew McDonnell/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marines with the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon execute their “bursting bomb” sequence during a performance for the students of Parkview High School during Marine Week Atlanta in Lilburn, Ga., on Aug. 29, 2025. (Christopher Prelle/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marines with the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon execute their “long line” sequence during a performance for the students of Greater Atlanta Christian High School during Marine Week Atlanta in Norcross, Ga., on Aug. 28, 2025. (Christopher Prelle/U.S. Marine Corps)