NEWS: Lazzara Joins Local Leaders for Ribbon Cutting of Carolina Museum of the Marine

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Senator Michael Lazzara (R–Onslow) joined military leaders, veterans, community members, and local officials Friday for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Carolina Museum of the Marine, which officially opened to the public today after more than 25 years of planning and development.

Lazzara, a Marine Corps veteran, delivered keynote remarks during the ceremony, celebrating the completion of a long-awaited project that will preserve the history, sacrifice, and service of generations of Marines while serving as a major educational and cultural destination for North Carolina.

“What we celebrate is more than the opening of a museum,” Lazzara said. “We celebrate the completion of a vision that this community believed in for many years — a vision built through determination, partnerships, and a shared commitment to preserving the story of those who served our nation.”

Located in Jacksonville, home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, the Carolina Museum of the Marine features immersive exhibits, historical artifacts, and interactive experiences that tell the story of the United States Marine Corps and the men and women who have worn the uniform.

As a Marine veteran, Lazzara spoke about the personal significance of the museum and the values it represents.

“The Marine Corps teaches discipline, sacrifice, responsibility, and service to something greater than yourself,” Lazzara said. “Those lessons remain with you forever. This museum is about people — the young Marine arriving at Camp Lejeune for the first time, the families who carried the burden of deployment and sacrifice, and the courage shown in moments history may never fully capture.”

Lazzara said the museum will serve as a destination for visitors from across North Carolina and beyond.

“I encourage families from every corner of our state to visit this remarkable museum,” Lazzara said. “Children will walk through these halls and learn lessons no textbook alone can teach. Veterans will see their service remembered with dignity. Visitors will leave with a deeper appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy and the people who defended them.”

The museum’s mission, “Meet the Marine. Be inspired,” reflects its goal of connecting visitors with the stories of service, courage, and sacrifice that have defined the Marine Corps throughout American history.

“In a time when history can easily be forgotten, this museum ensures these stories will endure,” Lazzara said. “It will stand as a place of remembrance, education, inspiration, and pride for generations to come.”

The Carolina Museum of the Marine officially opens to the public on Monday, June 8, 2026. Learn more at www.museumofthemarine.org.

###