by Jackie Dolopei
September 21, 2026
For generations, Marines trained on the historic grounds of the Navy Yard before departing Philadelphia to serve their country around the world. Soon, a new monument will ensure that their presence and their legacy remain a visible part of the Navy Yard for generations to come.
On September 9, Friends of the Philadelphia Navy Yard Marines and community partners gathered at the historic Marine Parade Grounds to break ground on The Marine Corps Monument: “Semper Fidelis,” a permanent tribute to the Marines who trained and served at the Navy Yard.
Former Marines, elected officials, community leaders, project partners, and members of the Friends of the Philadelphia Navy Yard Marines joined in celebrating this momentous occasion
The monument will be located between Buildings 100 and 101, facing the same fields where generations of Marines trained before leaving the Navy Yard for assignments around the world.
A Legacy Worth Remembering
For Dan Harrell, a Marine Corps Reserve veteran who enlisted at the Navy Yard in 1964 and co-founded Friends of the Philadelphia Navy Yard Marines, the monument represents a deeply personal journey.
The idea began during a 2018 family visit to the Navy Yard. As Harrell shared memories of his time there with his late wife, Regina, their daughter, and their granddaughters, he pointed out where he had enlisted and where Regina’s father had worked.
As the family prepared to leave, Regina made an observation that stayed with him:
“Dan, unless you were in the Marines, nobody would know they were ever here.”
Those words eventually became the inspiration for a project to make the Marines’ legacy at the Navy Yard more visible.
“The Navy Yard looks very different today than it did generations ago, and that’s a good thing. Philadelphia has found a way to take this historic place and give it a new life,” says Brian Cleary, Co-Founder of the Friends of the Philadelphia Navy Yard Marines. “Busy as places change, I think we also have a responsibility to make sure we don’t lose the stories of the people who came before us.”
Honoring the Past, Building for the Future
The atmosphere was energetic and celebratory as everyone gathered to mark a milestone years in the making. Before the ceremony began, former Marines and other veterans shared stories about the Navy Yard’s buildings and grounds, reflecting on what they did and experienced during their time here.
Those conversations offered a glimpse into the living history of the Navy Yard with stories that might otherwise be lost to time. The new monument will help ensure that those memories, and the contributions of the Marines who trained and served here, remain a permanent part of the Navy Yard’s landscape.
Among those gathered was Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who spoke about the importance of preserving the Navy Yard’s military history.
“The Navy Yard carries generations of stories about the people who served our country, and the Marines are an important part of that history,” Johnson said. “This monument is a meaningful way to make that legacy visible and ensure it remains part of the Navy Yard as it continues to grow.”
The project is a collaboration between Friends of the Philadelphia Navy Yard Marines, PIDC, the Chapel of Four Chaplains, IBEW Local 98, and other community partners.
“When the Friends of the Marines shared their story and vision with our team, we were proud to support their mission of creating a lasting place to honor the Marines,” says Dylan Langley, Vice President of Leasing and Development. “The Navy Yard is a place where history continues to shape our future, and this monument will ensure that the generations of Marines who have served the Navy Yard will never be forgotten.”
For PIDC, the monument represents an important connection between the Navy Yard’s past and its future.
A Monument Designed to Last
Designed by sculptor Andrew Chernak, the monument will feature the words “Semper Fidelis,” meaning “Always Faithful,” on all four sides.
The design is intended to serve not only as a permanent tribute to the Marines who trained and served at the Navy Yard, but also as a place where visitors can learn about their history and legacy.
The monument will have four sides with plaques describing historic events that took place right here at the Navy Yard. The first plaque depicts Building 100 with Marines from 1775 to the present-day mustering outside. The second plaque will be the receiving ship Richmond, which was where the Marines were housed until Building 100 was built in 1901. The third plaque is dedicated to 1st Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham, who is the Father of Marine Aviation. Cunningham experimented with a plane he rented named ‘Noisy Nan’. ‘Noisy Nan’ never got airborne. This is the birthplace of Marine Aviation. The fourth plaque depicts Marines who left from the Marine Parade Grounds for France in 1918 to participate in the Battle of Belleau Wood. It was at Belleau Wood that the Marines earned the title ‘Devil Dogs’, a nickname that all Marines have embraced and carry with pride.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
The project is also about more than remembering the past.
Through Friends of the Philadelphia Navy Yard Marines, the organization has established a scholarship program that supports Philadelphia students and carries forward the values of service, patriotism, and community engagement represented by the Marines.
“At Local 98, we always look forward to the future, and we never forget the past. Those two things run hand in hand, says Mark Lynch, Business Manager, IBEW Local 98. “That’s also why Local 98 recently established our Veterans committee. Together we have generations of veterans within our membership, and we want to make sure that our men and women who served our country know that there’s a place for them in our Union and in our skill trades.”
That connection between remembrance and opportunity is central to the project: honoring those who served while helping inspire the next generation to serve their communities in their own way.
Coming This November
Yesterday’s groundbreaking is only the beginning.
Over the next two months, the monument will take shape on the Marine Parade Grounds, transforming an idea that began years ago into a permanent landmark at the Navy Yard.
Friends of the Philadelphia Navy Yard Marines and its partners will return to the Navy Yard on Sunday, November 8, at 1 p.m. for the official unveiling of the completed Marine Corps Monument: “Semper Fidelis.”
For the Marines who trained and served here, the monument will be a lasting reminder that their presence mattered. For their families, fellow veterans, and the Philadelphia community, it will offer a place to remember their service and sacrifice. And for future generations visiting the Navy Yard, it will ensure that the story of the Marines who once trained on these grounds is never forgotten.
Semper Fidelis. Always Faithful.
Photo credit: Tom McGinn
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