Marine Reservation Quantico - Quantico, Virginia - Grand Opening on Waymarking.com

This monument is all that remains of the event that occurred at this location. It sits along Barnett Avenue (named after the first post commander) across from Little Hall. Parking is available 24/7 in the lot adjacent to the memorial.

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This is the site where in May 1917 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Major General Commandant George Barnett cut the first tree symbolizing official acquisition of the Marine Reservation Quantico, Virginia

Marine Corp Base Quantico (formerly Marine Reservation Quantico):
Is a United States Marine Base located near Triangle, Virginia along the Potomac River. While Officially created in 1917, this area has military history dating back to the Revolutionary War. In 2001 it was designated a United States historic District and includes multiple camps and buildings as United States National Register of Historic Places. While use has changed over the years, it currently host the Embassy Security Group, Combat Development Command, Recruiting Command, Training and Education Command, Marine Aircraft Wing, and the Quantico Marine Band

Franklin Delano Roosevelt:
During the time of the event, Roosevelt was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a position he held from 17 March 2013 to 26 August 1920. In 1921, Roosevelt was diagnosed with Polio, which paralyzed him from the waist down. During the 1920s, he did stay active in politics but did not run for office until 1928, when he was elected as the 44th Governor of New York serving from 1 January 1929 to 1 January 1933. Using his popularity from his time as the Governor of New York, he ran for President of the United States and served from 4 March 1933 to 12 April 1945. Today, Roosevelt is considered one of the most important and influential figures of his time. He is interred at the Historic Springwood Estate (his home), at Hyde Park, New York.

Major General Commandant George Barnett:
Along with being the first appointed Major General Commandant of the Marine Corp, Barnett was known as a pioneer of amphibious warfare. During his service he served during the Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War and World War I. He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the French Legion of Honor (Commander). At Age 64 (statutory age of service), he retired and passed away 7 years later. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.