Leaders with MTSU, other community groups fly with Marines to celebrate corps birthday [+VIDEO]

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, left, shakes hands with a member of the U.S. Marine Corps before taking a flight Tuesday, June 3, from the John Tune Airport in Nashville, Tenn., to downtown aboard a Marine UH-1 Huey, in the background, and escorted by an AH-1 Cobra. McPhee was joined on the flights by leaders from the Nashville Superspeedway, the Nashville Sounds and other community groups as the Marine Corps celebrated its 250th birthday with events in Nashville and four other major cities. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. Marine Corps, celebrating its 250th birthday with events in Nashville and four other major cities, took to the skies Tuesday, June 3, with several area community leaders.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, along with leaders from the Nashville Superspeedway, the Nashville Sounds and other community groups, flew from the John Tune Airport to downtown aboard a Marine UH-1 Huey and escorted by an AH-1 Cobra.

The Marines briefed the 20 leaders about the history of the corps then flew them in three sorties.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, right, gets his aviation seatbelt aboard a Marine UH-1 Huey adjusted by a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Tuesday, June 3, the John Tune Airport in Nashville, Tenn. McPhee, along with leaders from the Nashville Superspeedway, the Nashville Sounds and other community groups, flew to downtown escorted by an Marine AH-1 Cobra. The corps was celebrating its 250th birthday with events in Nashville and four other major cities. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Here’s a brief video recap:

The Marines are hosting public events and celebrations across the country to honor the legacy of support and fidelity between the nation and the corps.

Earlier, MTSU’s retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber reviewed the Marine Silent Drill Platoon’s performance before the Cracker Barrel 400 at the Superspeedway.

And the MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center hosted a ceremony for a student, Rashieq Cockerham, who was commissioned as a Marine second lieutenant.

The Sounds and the Superspeedway both partner with MTSU’s Daniels Center to support veterans and military connected students.

— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu)