The 2024 Tree Lighting Ceremony was held December 12 th in the Medal of Honor Theater at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The Quantico Junior/Senior High School MCJROTC provided the Color Guard and the MCB Quantico Band offered musical entertainment prior to the start of the ceremony.

USMYF President, LtGen Jack W. Klimp, was Master of Ceremony and the Keynote Speaker was Mr. Joseph Mundo. Mr. Mundo participated in the Youth Physical Program as a member of the South Bronx High School Fitness Team in the late ‘90’s. He was the Top Male Athlete at the 2000 National Championship Meet. After high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps and had a twenty-year career as a recruiter, signing over 2000 young men and women into the Marines.

After Mr. Mundo’s inspiring talk, LtGen Klimp read the Scroll of Honor featuring the names of over one hundred donors to the Tree of Lights Program.

Following the ceremony everyone attending was invited to a luncheon on the Second Deck of the museum.

Both the ceremony and luncheon were sponsored by USMYF Director, Mr. Howard Scheaffer, in memory of the Foundation’s late Chairman, General Alfred M. Gray, 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

This year’s Tree of Lights Program received over $16,000 in donations.