Provided by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (MCHF) partnered with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show to highlight the Marine Corps’ 250th Anniversary during this year’s event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
As part of the event, Major General James Lukeman, USMC (Ret), MCHF President and CEO, and Corporal Chesty XVI, the Marines’ mascot bulldog, were recognized on the arena floor on Monday, Feb. 10. Chesty XVI was honored as a celebrity dog as MajGen Lukeman was interviewed for the live crowd about MCHF’s year-long celebration of the Marine Corps’ 250th Anniversary. The event began with the Presentation of the Colors by the Color Guard from Marine Barracks Washington before the playing of the National Anthem.
“The 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps is a unique opportunity for the country to come together and honor the significant contributions that Marines have made to our nation,” said MajGen Lukeman. “At MCHF, our goal is to preserve and promote the Marine Corps’ rich history and bring more attention to those who have served our country so valiantly. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was a wonderful opportunity to share our story with the general public, and we’ll continue to showcase the Marines at sporting events throughout 2025.”
In March, MCHF and MajGen Lukeman will be at several major sporting events to further celebrate the 250th anniversary. From March 6 to 8, MajGen Lukeman will be in Arizona to throw out the first pitch before three Major League Baseball spring training games, culminating with the Marine Corps 250 Commemorative Day in Peoria, Arizona for the game between the Cleveland Guardians and San Diego Padres.
On Saturday, March 29, MajGen Lukeman and MCHF will be on-site in Martinsville, Virginia for the Marine Corps 250, a NASCAR Xfinity series race dedicated to the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.
