MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Phyllis Alexander Chapter of the Women Marines Association in Beaufort will host a 5K Molly Marine Fun Run Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Molly Marine statue aboard Parris Island.
The run will begin and end at the Molly Marine statue, and the next day a luncheon will be held from noon - 2 p.m. at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Officer's Club, where retired Col. Roxanne Cheney will be the guest speaker.
This is the first year the run will take place, and the goal of the run is to honor the 63rd anniversary of women in the Marine Corps, according to Maria Knox, co-chair of the Molly Marine Run and 63rd Anniversary Luncheon Committee.
"The anniversary celebration by our chapter has only been in existence for the last three years, so Rosa [Robertson] and I thought it would be nice to extend the celebration over the weekend of the sixty-third anniversary of women in the Marine Corps," said Knox.
According to Knox, the run is open to anyone who is physically fit to participate in the run, and "people should sign up mainly to show support for women in the Marine Corps."
Other goals of the run are to build camaraderie and to promote public awareness of the chapter, added Knox.
The cost to register for the race is $25, and the luncheon is $13 in advance and $15 at the door. All proceeds from the event will go toward fundraising for scholarships and "to support the many needs of the South Carolina veterans and the chapter," said Knox.
The WMA is a non-profit veterans association comprised of women who have served or are serving honorably in the United States Marine Corps regular or reserve components, according to the WMA Web site at www.womenmarines.org.
The WMA sponsors scholarships to highly qualified female high school and college students, provides volunteer services to local veterans hospitals and nursing homes and presents awards to outstanding women in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
The Phyllis Alexander chapter is currently sponsoring two scholarships, one for a graduating senior female MCJROTC cadet, and one for a former female Marine going to college in the Beaufort area, said Knox.
In addition to providing scholarships to lucky students each year, the Women Marines Association also honors one female recruit per platoon who exemplifies all the characteristics set forth by the WMA. Also, the chapter presents the "Lamp of Learning" award to one MCJROTC cadet who is selected by the senior Marine instructor at Battery Creek and Jasper High Schools.
"We are hoping to become more active in the needs and support of active duty Marines," said Knox.