Three Montford Point Marines are to be honored Friday with a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor awarded by the U.S. Congress.
The ceremony is open to the public and part of the National Montford Point Marine Association’s annual Montford Point Marines Day Ceremony set for 8 a.m. Friday in Lejeune Memorial Gardens, Montford Landing Road.
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The ceremony honors and remembers the first African Americans who enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War II and trained at Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, the present site of Camp Johnson.
Many of the Montford Point Marines have yet to be identified and the national effort continues to recognize these individuals, the challenges they endured, and the sacrifices they made on the battlefield, during 1942-1949.
Jacksonville Mayor Sammy Phillips is to provide welcoming remarks.
National Montford Point Marine Association Inc. Past President and retired U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dr. James Averhart Jr. will provide the keynote address.
Col. Gregory Pace, Deputy Commander, Marine Corps Installations East, retired Master Gunnery and National Montford Point Marine Association Inc. President Sgt. Ronald C. Johnson are also expected to speak.
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Because of construction at Lejeune Memorial Gardens, parking is limited. Parking will be available at the Coastal Carolina Veterans Cemetery and overflow parking will be available at the New River Shopping Center on Hargett Street.
Shuttle service will be provided from New River Shopping Center by Jacksonville Transit.
The ceremony will be broadcast on G10TV, g10tv.org, Cablecast, and made available on the city’s YouTube Channel.
For additional information about the Montford Point Marines and all annual convention activities, visit MontfordPointMarines.org.
