Greetings from Homecoming 250

www.homecoming250.org

January 2025

Latest News from Homecoming 250

Happy New 2025!

From our President

Hon. George Leone

Happy 2025! The 250^th Anniversary Year for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army has begun. We hope the Army will have a 250^th celebration in Philadelphia around June 14. We know the Navy and Marine Corps will have an epic 250^th Celebration in Philadelphia and Camden on October 9-16 and November 10, 2025.

Homecoming 250’s Navy & Marine Corps 250^th Celebration is the Navy’s national 250^th celebration. It is one of the Marine Corps’ two national-level capstone events, with the upcoming Superbowl (go Eagles!). We are proud to be hosting this Superbowl-level event for the Marines and Navy with the Cities of Philadelphia and Camden.

Homecoming 250 have been planning this Celebration with the Navy and Marine Corps for years, but the Initial Planning Meeting this January brought many partners into the planning and execution of this national event. It also indicated that many of our proposed events fit with the plans of the Navy and Marine Corps, enabling us to share our proposed but still tentative schedule below.

Thanks for helping us to get to the 20-yard line! Now help get us across the goal line. To realize these spectacular events nine months from now will require funding, dedication, and publicity. We matched the $400,000 challenge grant we received in 2024. Now we must match a $500,000 challenge grant by March 31, and raise much more to give the Navy, Marines, Greater Philadelphia, and America a world-class 250^th Celebration. Please keep donating, volunteering, and spreading the word!

Navy and Marine Corps Meets with Homecoming 250 and other stakeholders in Philadelphia

The Navy and Marine Corps held an Initial Planning Event in Philadelphia on January 16, 2025.

For the services, this event gathered more than 150 stakeholders for the October and November celebration. This included Homecoming 250 Board Members, Navy and Marine Corps 250 leadership, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, FBI, Philly and Camden Port representatives and more.

The session started with opening remarks from RADM Ken Blackmon of Fleet Forces Command, who is in charge of the Navy effort. The opening brief was given by Navy civilian Beth Baker of Navy Region Mid Atlantic. Ms. Baker has organized NY Fleet Weeks, as well as assisting Homecoming 250 with their Navy/Marine Weeks in Philadelphia.

Top: A large group gathered for the event planning meeting.

Middle: Ms. Tracey Campbell, (gesturing)Community Relations Director, Headquarter Marine Corps speaks with attendees, including Ms. Kat Kirkland (right), who is planning the All Veterans Reunion.

Bottom: President George Leone, Homecoming 250, speaks with fellow attendees.

Top: Homecoming 250 President George Leone on stage with Philadelphia 2026 Director Michael Newmuis.

Middle:The Navy and Marine Corps 250 planning sign.

Middle: Homecoming 250 Board Member Kat Kirkland speaks with Marine Corps attendees.

Bottom: Philadelphia 2026 Director Michael Newmuis speaks wtih law en forcement members.

Homecoming 250, Navy and Marine Corps Events in October & November 2025

NOTE: This is a current list of confirmed events. More coming soon!

** Scroll down for events ongoing from October 9-16. **

NOTE: All events hosted by the Navy and Marine Corps are subject to operational commitments.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

10 a.m.-Noon-Parade of Ships up the Delaware River- This includes active Navy Ships and Historical Ships.
Parade of Ships watch parties in Philly and Camden.
Opening Ceremonies/VIP Welcome Reception/Ship Arrivals/Blessing of the Fleet at Navy Yard, Penn’s Landing, Camden Waterfront
Preview of Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” on Independence Mall
Media Day for Ships
USN Dive Tank arrives and is filled
UNS/USMC Welcome Reception on LHD

Friday, October 10, 2025

8:30 a.m.-USN/USMC Rocky Steps Run
Academic Symposium on 250 Years of Navy/Marine Corps History – Part I by Penn at McNeil Center
Army-Navy Cup at Subaru Park, Chester
International Navies Leaders arrive

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Academic Symposium on 250 Years of Navy/Marine Corps History – Part 2 by Rutgers Camden at the Battleship New Jersey
Homecoming 250 Navy 250th Gala
USN/USMC 2.5 mile Run at Navy Yard a.m.
Navy Chaplains Service of Thanksgiving
Women’s panel with USN/USMC leadership
Distinguished visitors, prearranged, and general public Ship Tours

Sunday, October 12, 2025

St. Mary’s Mass and Commodore Barry wreath laying
Prearranged and general public ship tours
Tour of Navy/Marine Corps heroes’ resting places at Laurel Hill East Cemetery
Homecoming 250 All Veterans Reunion Picnic on Independence Mall with Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs)
“Victory at Sea” Concert on Independence Mall
Fireworks

Monday, October 13, 2025- Happy 250th Birthday Navy!

Navy Flag Raising Ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall
Navy 250th Birthday Ceremony-Independence Hall
Blue Angels Flyover
250^th Memorial Service for Navy and Marine Corps at Christ Church w/ international Navy leaders
Prearranged and general public Ship Tours
250th Salute to Youth” Parade
VIP/ Navy Reception
USMC Band and Silent Drill Platoon Performances

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

NASDAQ Opening Bell
Prearranged and general public ship tours

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Naval Order of U.S. National Congress begins – Elements Hotel

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Prearranged and general public ship tours*
USMC Band and Silent Drill Platoon Performances*
Closing Ceremonies
Ship Departures

Ongoing

October 9-16

Touring of the Visiting and Resident Vessels, including Navy ships, Battleship New Jersey, Cruiser Olympia, Submarine Becuna and Washington Crossing's Durham boat
Navy & Marine bands and demonstrations.
The Navy plans to bring the interactive dive tank!
USN/USMC Helicopter Fly-Ins
Marine Corps and Navy Vehicles and Equipment
Naval History and Heritage Command "Stewards of the Sea" Exhibit
Performances at Independence National Historical Park by
Navy Bands
Marine Corps Bands
Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon
Navy Ceremonial Guard
Navy and Marine Corps Recruiting
School Visits and Community Relations activities
Robotics/STEM engagements
Volunteer Activities (food banks, HFH, youth/veteran programs)
Events with Community Partners (Homecoming 250, USO, Navy League)

U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Celebrations in November 2025

November 10, 2025- Happy Birthday Marines!

Ceremony at the grave of the First Commandant
Marine Corps 250th Celebration at Independence Mall
Celebrations around the recreation of The Tun at 2^nd near Market Streets*
Homecoming 250 Marine Corps 100th Birthday Ball at the Bellevue hotel site of 1^st Marine Corps Birthday Ball

Please see our website: www.homecoming250.org to donate or get involved.

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