From left, in the ribbon cutting ceremony: Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) staff member Amy Sullivan; Col. Joseph M. Murray, Commander MCINCR-MCB Quantico; Boy Scout Aeris Taylor; Sgt. Maj. Charles R. Williams, Marine Corps Base Quantico and Rick Nealis, Marine Corps Marathon Director. Photo Contributed
Springfield Boy Scout Aeris Taylor, a 17-year-old senior at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md. built a new walking/running trail on Marine Corps Base Quantico, which was named the "Semper Progredi" (translating to "Always Forward"). It was his Eagle Scout project. The Trail Naming Ceremony was held outside the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) headquarters building at Fowler Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Taylor belongs to Springfield Troop 1145.
The Semper Progredi Trail is located behind Fowler Hall.
The trail is a loop that is .35 of a mile in distance with fresh wood chips and a pedestrian bridge made of repurposed materials. Benches have also been placed along the trail within its serene setting.
Aeris also enlisted about 14 Boy Scouts, ages 12-17, from his Springfield Troop to assist him in the project. All together, they spent about 20 hours building the new trail.
The trail will serve the Marines and civilians who work on Quantico and also visitors and the staff of the MCM. It was a community service project that includes environmental awareness and historical significance as many of the trees have been identified and labeled throughout the new trail (by Quantico's Forestry Branch), and also lends permanence to the Marine Corps Base.