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" Women who served in the Marine Corps 60 years ago, as well as those who currently wear the uniform, gathered Friday for the dedication of a symbol that unites them all.
The Molly Marine statue, a monument that represents female Marines past, present and future, was dedicated during a ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Some of the more than 250 people who attended had photos taken with Molly. The bronze statue stands near the parking lot entrance, in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park.
Molly is the first thing visitors coming to the museum see, said Jequetta Collier, a master sergeant stationed at Quantico Marine Corps Base.
"They couldn't have put her in a better place," she said.
Collier and fellow Marine Staff Sgt. Rebecca Coughenour said it was "about time" the Marines paid homage to women, who first volunteered in 1918.
The evolution of their service has been nothing short of revolutionary, said Robert Blackman Jr., a retired lieutenant general who's also president of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.
He spoke right after a color guard—of four women—presented the flags. In the 1970s, he was stationed in San Diego, and his superior said he'd fire him if he ever saw a woman in his color guard.
"We have come a long way," Blackman said.
Female Marines first worked in administrative services to "free a man to fight," then were "among the first to stand alongside the men and fight," he added.
He was glad to bring Molly to "her rightful place," at a museum that honors all Marines, their services and the support from their families.
Blackman was the only man who spoke during the event. He was followed by Betty Moseley Brown, who brought cheers from the crowd when she let out a hearty "ooh–rah."
Brown is the president of the Women Marines Association, and female Marines in yesterday's crowd had earned their place, just as Molly deserved hers.
"We are honored, we are thrilled because we have all earned the eagle, globe and anchor," she said. "We are all Marines."
No one got more applause than Maj. Gen. Angela Salinas, the highest-ranking woman in the Marines and the sixth female to reach the general officer rank in the Corps."
" Women who served in the Marine Corps 60 years ago, as well as those who currently wear the uniform, gathered Friday for the dedication of a symbol that unites them all.
The Molly Marine statue, a monument that represents female Marines past, present and future, was dedicated during a ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Some of the more than 250 people who attended had photos taken with Molly. The bronze statue stands near the parking lot entrance, in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park.
Molly is the first thing visitors coming to the museum see, said Jequetta Collier, a master sergeant stationed at Quantico Marine Corps Base.
"They couldn't have put her in a better place," she said.
Collier and fellow Marine Staff Sgt. Rebecca Coughenour said it was "about time" the Marines paid homage to women, who first volunteered in 1918.
The evolution of their service has been nothing short of revolutionary, said Robert Blackman Jr., a retired lieutenant general who's also president of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.
He spoke right after a color guard—of four women—presented the flags. In the 1970s, he was stationed in San Diego, and his superior said he'd fire him if he ever saw a woman in his color guard.
"We have come a long way," Blackman said.
Female Marines first worked in administrative services to "free a man to fight," then were "among the first to stand alongside the men and fight," he added.
He was glad to bring Molly to "her rightful place," at a museum that honors all Marines, their services and the support from their families.
Blackman was the only man who spoke during the event. He was followed by Betty Moseley Brown, who brought cheers from the crowd when she let out a hearty "ooh–rah."
Brown is the president of the Women Marines Association, and female Marines in yesterday's crowd had earned their place, just as Molly deserved hers.
"We are honored, we are thrilled because we have all earned the eagle, globe and anchor," she said. "We are all Marines."
No one got more applause than Maj. Gen. Angela Salinas, the highest-ranking woman in the Marines and the sixth female to reach the general officer rank in the Corps."