Rome Marines Veterans Center

On July 16, 2024, catastrophic destruction from a tornado in Central New York (CNY) devastated many in Rome, NY, and surrounding areas. The Rome Marines Veterans Center, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is home to Marine Corps League Edward L. Smith Jr. Detachment 245. The Rome Marines Veterans Center, Inc. is among dozens of buildings destroyed by the storm.

Since its inception in 1948, the Marine Corps League Edward L. Smith Jr. Detachment 245 has been providing community services to veterans and families in Oneida and surrounding counties. The organization has utilized the Rome Marines Veterans Center, Inc. to do so since 2013. The building functioned as a distribution center and storage facility for the Toys-For-Tots program, which has distributed over 12,000 toys annually to families in Oneida County. It also provided a space for veterans to compile an audio record (oral history) of their service for the Veterans Oral History Project, outreach services for returning veterans, an internet cȧfe to assist veterans with finding job opportunities, and the Marines Helping Marines - Wounded Marine Program.

Marine Corps League Edward L. Smith Jr. Detachment 245 seeks your help rebuilding the Rome Marines Veterans Center, Inc.. No gift is too big or too small and every dollar is needed to help the Rome Marines continue supporting veterans and families in our community. All contributions made to the Rome Marines Veterans Center, Inc. are tax deductible and deeply valued regardless of the amount.

About the Marine Corps League:

The mission of the Marine Corps League is to preserve the traditions and promote the interests of the United States Marine Corps by joining together, in camaraderie and fellowship, those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service. The organization aims to effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy by voluntarily aiding and assisting all Marines including Fleet Marine Corpsmen, former Marines and Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen, and their widows and orphans; perpetuating the history of the United States Marine Corps; and fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

For more information about the Rome Marines contact:

Thomas Arcuri

Executive Director

Edward L. Smith Jr. Detachment 245

On July 16, 2024 an EF2 tornado destroyed the building of the Rome Marine Corp League in Rome, NY.

This building had served as a gathering place and vital link to connect Marine veterans from WWII to the present day. These men bravely and selflessly served their nation under the most difficult circumstances to protect our freedom.

The building supported a network as young veterans returned home to be able to be with others who understood what they had experienced and help them re-find their way in civilian life. It supported Marine Corp League meetings and Marine Corp birthday ceremonies but also served as an initial point of information about where and how to pursue opportunities in education, skilled trades, and employment as well as about veterans benefits.

This vital resource building is now gone. They did their part by serving their country. Let’s now do our part! Please chip in to help them clean up the site and re-establish a physical presence somewhere while they work to pursue grants to re-build!