U.S. Marine Corps veterans stand to be recognized at a 250th anniversary celebration of the Corps Monday at Veritas Classical Academy. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The community gathered at Veritas Classical Academy in Marietta on Monday on the eve of Veterans Day to recognize the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.

The event was put on by the Sons of the American Revolution Secretary Jean Yost to formally acknowledge the founding of the Marine Corps and those in the community who served.

Yost was the past president of the Marietta Sons of the American Revolution and served in the marines.

After the posting of the colors by the Marietta SAR Color Guard, Ohio House Rep. Kevin Ritter spoke on the occasion.

“The United States Marine Corps is older than our nation. It was created on Nov. 10, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress established two battalions of marines to serve as landing forces for the newly formed continental navy,” said Ritter. “Since that time, the marines have earned a reputation as one of the world’s top military forces.”

Anita Henrichsen directs the Veritas Advanced Orchestra during the 250th anniversary celebration of the U.S. Marine Corps on Monday at Veritas Classical Academy. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The program included history about the marines as well as first-hand accounts from marines local to the area.

Washington County Judge Mark Kerenyi shared his experience in the marines which was prior to his attendance in law school. He said he found that he actually really enjoyed boot camp and training.

“I was trained as an 03/31 machine gunner and I absolutely enjoyed it with all the free ammo you could possibly shoot, free camping and free helicopter rides,” he said.

Kerenyi said he was stationed in Yorktown, Va., and spent a lot of time guarding the navy’s weapons.

“I learned a lot; I learned a lot about discipline, I learned about focus, I learned about faith,” he said. “I got out and then I decided to go to law school where I eventually became a judge for this community.”

The Castle Museum Executive Director Scott Britton shares history about local Marines in the 1700s during the U.S. Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration on Monday at Veritas Classical Academy. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Kerenyi said he decided to join the marines in 1986 initially because during his first few years in college he didn’t really know what he wanted to do with his life.

Sgt. Johnathan Tucker served from 2017-23 with the 4th Combat Engineer Battalion and has received countless medals for his service. He answered a few questions from the kids in the audience.

“As soon as I got back from Japan I was promoted to corporal … and then two years later I was promoted to the rank of sergeant,” said Tucker.

At the age of 19, Tucker enlisted in the marines. He is now a deputy sheriff with a dual purpose K9 at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

“Usually people are more interested in her than me,” he said about his German shepherd, Ozna.

Sgt. Johnathan Tucker speaks about his experience in the U.S. Marine Corps during a celebration of the Corps’ 250th anniversary Monday at Veritas Classical Academy. He is now a deputy sheriff with a dual-purpose K9 at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

After each speaker, the elementary school students sang patriotic tunes like, “America, America, America,” and “Semper Fi.”

The Castle Museum Executive Director Scott Britton spoke about historic marine figures in Washington County and their contributions to the area.

“Commodore Abraham Whipple was in command of the very first ship to attack a British warship at sea in the HMS Diana and four months later in October of 1775, the Second Continental Congress purchased Whipple’s ship,” said Britton.

The very first marines in Washington County would go on to command ships and fight against British command.

Britton said former Marietta Police Chief Rodney Hupp is a descendent from one of the first continental marines in the 1770s.

Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark Kerenyi talks about his experience in the U.S. Marine Corps during a celebration of the Marines’ 250th anniversary Monday at Veritas Classical Academy. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The event concluded with the benediction from Marine Jim Furr who served from 1967-71. Furr shared his experiences on what it was like serving on various carriers and traveling across the Mediterranean.

“I was aboard the USS Forrestal CVA-59 for three years and we did a lot on that ship,” he said. “If you spend much time on a ship when you’re out at sea, there’s not a whole lot you can do and if they don’t keep you busy then you’re gonna get bored.”

Furr displayed images of him and his mates playing chess and maintaining vigilance because they could be called to war at any moment.

The event concluded with a prayer and a reception with a food truck and refreshments for the guests.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com

Members of the Marietta Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard post the colors during the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps at Veritas Classical Academy on Monday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Ohio Rep. Kevin Ritter speaks briefly on the history of the U.S. Marine Corps and everything they’ve done for the country at the 250th anniversary of the Marines celebrated at Veritas Classical Academy on Monday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)