MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The story of the Marine Corps is an ongoing one, full of heroes and legends who secured their place in history with their deeds. The Parris Island Marine Corps Museum is one place where everybody can share in that story, according to Bryan Howard, the museum curator in charge of anthropology.
"Every artifact here has a story to tell," said the 43-year-old Texas A&M graduate. "We have stories here from all ends of the Corps."
The museum has cataloged the history of the Corps for more than 35 years. Now, it's expanding to meet the changing needs of its patrons, Howard said.
The museum is celebrating the completion of the year-long renovation, and the opening of its main exhibit gallery.
To commemorate this occasion, Brig. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, commanding general, MCRD, Parris Island/Eastern Recruiting Region, is scheduled to hold an invitation only ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 15.
The public opening of the exhibit is scheduled for March 16, from 10 a.m. to at 4:30 p.m., and is open to everyone.
The new exhibit wing is focused on improving the displays for recruits and other visitors, Howard said. The displays are emblazoned with the yellow footprints to designate the knowledge learned by every recruit before graduation.
"We had to boil it down because recruits who visit don't get a lot of time to see the exhibit - maybe an hour," said Howard, who is originally from Boulder, Colo.
The displays cover Marine history from the early 1900s to present day. Within the hall are artifacts from both World Wars, the Korean War and modern conflicts such as Operation Enduring Freedom.
Patrons can see Japanese swords captured in battle, flags flown at Midway and an entire suit of gear worn at the Chosin Reservoir. According to museum staff, there will be new exhibits and a few surprises unveiled on opening day.
Dana MacBean is the exhibits coordinator for the museum. He has worked with museums for 25 years, and says this exhibit makes the Depot museum one of the best around.
"It's easily the best museum in Beaufort County...and it's free," the Vietnam War veteran proclaimed.
MacBean is a former soldier from Washington D.C. who now works at the museum. He believes the patrons play an important role in the museum's growth and said they enjoy what they see.
"The input of the patrons is positive so far," the 60-year-old MacBean said.
Patrons who might not know much about Marines will find plenty of information at the museum. Volunteers from the Marine Corps League will answer questions and even lead visitors on tours through the exhibits.
Charles Taliano, more commonly known as "Sergeant T," is one such volunteer. Some astute patrons may recognize Taliano as the drill instructor from the famous "We Didn't Promise You A Rose Garden" recruiting poster, which is still used today.
As part of the Parris Island Historical Museum Society, Taliano and his peers assisted in the funding of the new exhibit wing.
The society wanted to improve the display and be part of the historical preservation of the Corps, he said.
That spirit of teamwork and preservation is echoed amongst the staff at the museum.
"It's all about the Marines," Howard said.