The USS Lassen will be one of eight ships sailing up the Delaware River on Oct. 9 to begin the celebration of the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary.
Philadelphia was a hotbed of rebel activity during the autumn of 1775, as the Second Continental Congress gave birth to the Continental Navy and the Marines after heated debates by state representatives in Independence Hall.
Spearheaded by John Adams, legislators voted on Oct. 13 to form the Navy in an effort to protect Colonial ports and try to stop ships supplying British and Hessian soldiers. They financed the first two American ships built along the Philadelphia docks.
Congress approved the forming of the first two battalions of the Continental Marines on Nov. 10. The recruiting station was set up at the nearby Tun Tavern and organized by the owner, Robert Mullan. Some 100 Rhode Islanders made up the first Continental Marine company, and the earliest Marines were deployed on Navy ships as sharpshooters.
To celebrate the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps this fall, the organization Homecoming 250 has planned events that are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to the Delaware Valley. On Thursday, Oct. 9, eight ships will sail up the Delaware River to Camden, Gloucester City and Philadelphia and docking sites in a spectacular maritime display.
They include the USS Arlington, USS Lassen, USS Cooperstown, USCG (United States Coast Guard) James Rankin, USS Billings, USCG Lawrence Lawson, the USNA YP (United States Naval Academy Yard Patrol) 686 Class and the USNA MARKII 44.
The event will kick off a week-long celebration of the Navy, and the week-long celebration of the U.S. Marines will be held from Nov. 7 through 11. The celebrations will feature ship displays, parades, ceremonies and other events highlighting the history and founding of the two services in Philadelphia. They have been planned by a committee headed by Judge George Leone of Haddonfield.
On Friday, Oct. 10, the general public can visit the two ships docked in Gloucester City from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be a Naval Academy vs. the Maritime Academy battle for the Soccer Cup at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
There will be a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps 2.5-mile run on Saturday, Oct. 11, as well as the Navy vs. Temple football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The following day will feature an all veterans’ reunion, a Mass at St. Mary’s Church with a Commodore Barry wreath-laying ceremony, a Victory at Sea concert and fireworks.
Two days later, there will be a remembrance ceremony at historic Christ Church in Center City Philadelphia, and a Navy birthday ceremony at Independence Hall, with a Blue Angels flyover. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, there will be U.S. Marine Corps Band and Silent Drill Platoon performances.
The closing ceremony of the Navy and Marine celebrations will be on Wednesday, Oct. 15, and the ships will depart the next day. Throughout the weeks of ceremonies, Homecoming 250, organizer of the events, will partner with The Tun Legacy Foundation to present a lineup of free and ticketed events honoring the Marines.
“These commemorative experiences will offer the public and Marines alike an opportunity to engage with the corps’ rich history and enduring legacy through special programming, performances, and ceremonies,” the organizers noted in a statement.
On Friday, Nov. 7, there will be a tour of the Masonic Temple Library & Museum and Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to explore rarely seen archival items, including artifacts from the Tun Tavern and exhibits showcasing the deep-rooted connection between Pennsylvania Freemasonry and the Marine Corps.
There will be a Tun Lunch and Learn the next day where guests can enjoy a meal and panel discussion with representatives of the six organizations that have a heritage at the tavern: the Marines, Pennsylvania Freemasons, the Navy, the Society of St. George, St. Andrew’s Society and the Friendly Sons & Daughters of St. Patrick.
The Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival will be on Sunday, Nov. 9. Veterans and Marines will march through Center City Philly for a tribute hosted by the city. The next day, there will be a ceremony at the Resting Place of the First Commandant. The public is invited to the historic Arch Street Meeting House grounds to honor Samuel Nicholas, the first commandant of the Marines.
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, the public is invited to a Veterans Day ceremony aboard the Battleship New Jersey that will include a tribute to the Marines and their core values of honor, courage and commitment. It is free and open to the public.
For information and a complete schedule, go to homecoming250.org.
