FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 8, 2018) — Marines with Fort Leonard Wood’s U.S. Marine Corps Detachment kicked off the celebration of the Corps’ 243 years of service to the nation Tuesday by running the first of 241 consecutive miles to be run before the detachment completes the final two together early Thursday morning. This has become an annual event on Fort Leonard Wood, where Marine students are paired with detachment personnel to run each mile carrying the Marine flag in order to enhance esprit de corps and celebrate the Corps’ rich heritage. In addition to the birthday run, the detachment has a Marine Corps Birthday Student Ball, scheduled for this afternoon in Nutter Field House, and another ball for permanent-party personnel scheduled for Saturday at the Lake of the Ozarks. Fort Leonard Wood is home to the largest U.S. Marine Corps detachment not located on a Marine installation.