PHILADELPHIA — Crowds of young and old Marines and Navy members gathered along the riverside to celebrate and to salute service — and to mourn the fallen. And for a chance to peer out into a perfect Philadelphia fall sky as a fleet of the most powerful military ships glided up the Delaware for the city and the world to behold.
Hundreds of veterans, active service members, families of the lost, and dignitaries came to Mustin Field at the Navy Yard on Thursday for the opening ceremony of Homecoming 250, a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, both founded in Philadelphia in 1775.
The weeklong festivities, which began with Thursday’s grand parade, include tours of historic ships anchored along the Philly and Camden waterfronts, balls, parades, family events, concerts, wreath layings, and — this being Philadelphia — a Rocky Steps run for Marines and Sailors. Scores of military brass and as many as 300,000 people are expected to attend Homecoming 250, which are seen by many as the start of the nation’s celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, also known as the Semquincentennial.
“This week kicks off the year of celebration and commemoration to celebrate America’s birthday right here in Philadelphia,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro, addressing the crowds on hand for the Parade of Ships. “The eyes of the world are going to be on our city and our Commonwealth.”
Before the combat ships and destroyers and cutters appeared on the clear horizon, Shapiro, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker — and military dignitaries — spoke proudly of the region’s historic role in the founding of the Marines and Navy. The Second Continental Congress, meeting at Independence Hall, founded a Continental Navy in October 1775. The U.S. Marine Corps was founded on Nov. 10, 1775, and traces its roots to its first recruiting station: the Tun.
“It’s a proud moment for our city,” said Parker.
Five years in the making, the weeklong bash was organized by George Leone, a retired New Jersey Superior Court judge and former Philadelphia assistant district attorney — and son of a World War II naval officer. The event that Leone, 67, of Haddonfield, and a dedicated band of dozens of veterans and volunteers began organizing from scratch five years ago, represents the largest Semiquincentennial event honoring the military and veterans in the nations.
Leone spoke through tears.
“Philadelphia has been a Navy town for 250 years,” he said. “Camden built ships for the Navy like there was no tomorrow in the Second World War. This city and this area have supported the Navy and the Marine Corps with heroes and service members for so many years. We want to honor them.”
Veterans of both branches had crowded the Navy Yard’s Riverfront Greenway for hours before the ships passed. They told stories of how young bravado and chance circumstances led to proud lives of service.
“I was young and dumb and I thought I was tough,” smiled Gene Reilly, 82 remembering his first day at boot camp on Parris Island. He had joined the Marines straight out of Father Judge High School in 1961, and served as a military police officer guarding the gates of Pearl Harbor. Each year, his daughters take off from work to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday. They usually attend celebrations at Richie’s Bar & Grill in Hatboro, which is owned by a retired Marine. There’s an honor guard, and a cutting of a cake with the oldest and youngest Marine, as tradition dictates, Reilly said.
But this year, his daughter, Jacque, made sure her father saw the ships. His service means everything to him.
“I’m proud to have been a Marine — I’m still a Marine,” he said.
Not far away, Eric McCoy, 70, of Atlantic City, and his wife, Monique, set up at a spot with a clear view. Back in 1974, McCoy said his mother, Germaine, had made him join the Marines after his high school had called to say he had been playing hookie. The school had been mistaken, confusing him with another student with a similar name, he laughed. A radioman who served in the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, he spoke proudly of his service. How it structured him — and gave him purpose.
“I had something to belong to bigger than me,” he said.
Outside the dignitaries tent, New Jersey Assemblywoman, Melinda Kane, did what she does always: she thought of her son, Jeremy. A Rutgers University-Camden student serving as a Marine reservist, Jeremy Kane died in 2010 in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan. A widow raising two sons, becoming a Gold Star Mother led her to choose a life or service, said Kane, who was sworn into the General Assembly in January.
In her mind, her oldest boy is forever 22, she said. And he would have loved the pageantry of the parade of ships.
“He would just think this is all so incredibly cool,” she said.
Soon, the ships arrived on the horizon, and the sound of the Battle Hymn of the Republic boomed over the speakers, sung live by soprano Jillian Patricia Pirtle, the CEO of the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society in Philadelphia. A legacy formation of fighter planes thundered by above.
Then, the first of the eight visiting Navy ships and Coast Guard vessels that will dock in Philly and New Jersey for the festivities eased into view — the USS Arlington, an amphibious warship. At that, the crowds edged toward the water, wanting a better view.
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