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mote the legacy of the Marine Corps and maintain and expand the museum's collections. Geographically, the MCRD Command Museum is located between the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial and the USS Midway Museum. "We want to be part of that conglom- erate," says Daren Erickson, a retired Marine colonel and the foundation's executive director. At the same time, Erickson understands the hesitation some people have coming on base, and emphasizes the fact that the museum is working to have more events for professional and school groups. "When it's more than one or two visitors, we can facilitate entry, making things easier for everyone," Erickson says. Next year is the 250th anniversary of the Marines, which were established in 1775, even before the country itself. For the last century, that history has been intrinsic to San Diego, and there has never been a better time to learn about it than now. mcrdsd.marines.mil/Visitors/MCRDSD-Museum to parents. It is a chance for newly minted Marines to share what they have accomplished, and the usually quiet museum is filled with thousands of visitors. ough rarely as crowded as it is on graduation days, there was a time, prior to 9/11, when the museum saw considerably more traffic. "When I started, the Old Town trolley came through. ere were always veterans and family members coming to see where they or someone they knew had trained," says Barbara McCurtis, a retired Marine first sergeant, who served as muse- um director from 1998 to 2018. "Pulling up to the gate can be intimidating," says McCurtis, who was director when the muse- um achieved Command status, and who continues to serve on the Foundation board. e Command Museum is also limited in terms of fundraising. It is owned and operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, and can- not appeal for support on its own, which is the reason, almost simultaneous with the founding of the museum, the MCRD Museum Foundation was formed. e nonprofit serves as the driving force when it comes to raising the money needed to pro- @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2024 51