Center House Association
Marine Barracks — Washington, D.C.





Perpetuating the special privileges and traditions of the
Center House Officers' Mess,
Marine Barracks, 8th & I Streets, S.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20001

"The Oldest Post of the Corps"
Established by President Thomas Jefferson, 1801




Sixth Annual Center House Association Luncheon

We look forward to celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the founding of Center House Association with our first President, LtGen Ron Christmas, USMC (Ret), as our Guest of Honor on 31 March 2008 at the Topside Club at the Marine Barracks, Washington, DC. Please click on the following links for the luncheon invitation and agenda. Hope to see you there!




Opportunity to become a member of
The United States Marine Corps War Memorial Flag Detail, Inc.

The United States Marine Corps War Memorial Flag Detail ("Iwo Flags") has been recently formed by several of our Center House Association members and exists to ensure that a clean, crisp, untattered American flag always flies over the United States Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. They have worked an agreement with the National Park Service and Headquarters Marine Corps to ensure that a new flag is hoisted monthly over the Iwo Memorial by Henderson Hall Marines, and that the previously-flown flag is distributed to qualified individuals or organizations by Iwo Flags members.
For background on this inspiring group -- and membership information -- please click here and here.




New Book Featuring Marine Barracks, Washington DC!

One of our Center House Association members, Major William F. ("Bill") Lee, USMC (Ret), who served at the Barracks in the early 1960s, is a published author of several books. His latest is titled "The Boys in Blue White Dress" and heavily features life at Marine Barracks, Washington, DC!   Please click here to read a writeup on the book -- from the author himself!



Donations Being Accepted for Colonel Crawford Portrait!

The Center House Association is now accepting donations from all interested donors to help pay for the commission of a portrait of Colonel Crawford by a renown artist, to be hung in the new Truman Crawford Hall at the Barracks.   Please click here for more details.



New Membership Booklet!

The Center House Association has just issued its membership booklet, which is available for all members.  If you haven't received a copy by mail, check the new membership booklet page for details.




The Silent Drill Team performs at an Evening Parade

The 2007 CHA Reunion and Celebration of the
50th Anniversary of the Evening Parade
was held during 5-7 July 2007, in Washington, D.C.

Click on the following for:
  • A Writeup of Reunion and Anniversary Activities
  • Membership Meeting Minutes
  • Photo Slideshow! In .wmv format
  • 1950s-era Slide Show (including first Evening Parade shots!)
  • Background and History of first Evening Parade




    • New! Listing of CHA Gifts to Center House!

    CHA Membership dues and donations are used to fund gifts that enhance the surroundings and/or functionality of Center House. CHA has given several such gifts to Center House since its inception in 1998. Click here for a listing and photos of these gifts.
    As always, a hearty thanks goes to our generous members who made these gifts possible!



    News Flash! Center House Mugs and Books!

    The location of former Barracks' Officers's Center House mugs is now available, and may be reviewed here. Similarly, the identification and location of books donated to the Center House library may be reviewed here.  Both lists are searchable by name, year, location, etc.




    Check out our new feature!

    On the navigation bar above, select our "Uncommon Valor" section, which honors those Barracks officers who have been awarded our Nation's highest medals for valor on the field of battle.










    Marine Barracks, Washington D.C., is a truly remarkable and historic place. Founded in 1801, it is the oldest post in the Marine Corps, and as such, maintains the Marine Corps' battle colors, with streamers and ribbons marking every engagement in which the the Corps has participated, beginning with the Revolutionary War.

    Established by President Thomas Jefferson "within easy marching distance of the U.S. Capitol" building, it is the residence of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, whose house is the oldest public building in continuous use in Washington, D.C. The Barracks, known throughout the Marine Corps as "8th & I,", occupies an entire city block in Southeast Washington, with additional buildings in the nearby area.

    The Barracks has numerous missions assigned to it, the most prominent ones involving particpation in ceremonies of many types, including funerals at Arlington Cemetery, and during the summer months, full dress parades at the Barracks and at the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue) in Arlington, Virginia. The number and variety of events is amazing -- during the past fiscal year, the Barracks participated in 2,469 separate events!

    To serve at 8th & I is an awesome responsibility, for in carrying out the various missions of the Barracks, the 8th & I personnel must represent the entire U.S. Marine Corps, past and present. All officers and enlisted personnel are hand chosen for service at the Barracks, and must epitomize the highest military, ethical and physical standards of the Corps.

    The Center House Officer's Mess is located within the Barracks, and is composed of commissioned officers assigned to 8th & I. Among its long list of members are found many names constituting the rich history of the Marine Corps, including former Commandants, storied Marine heroes, and other notables, such as John Phillip Sousa, the "March King."





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    Contact us at:chamembers@centerhouse.org
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    Center House Association
    November, 2006

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