Families come a day early for SC Marine graduation

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Families attending Marine Corps graduations at Parris Island are being invited to the base for an extra day to learn more about the Corps and what the recruits can expect after training.

The Beaufort Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/wIQpTP ) that previously families were allowed on base Thursday before Friday graduations. But that is changing this week.

Families can now visit Wednesday and Thursday before the graduation. On Wednesday families can attend a “Marine Corps 101” seminar to learn about the Corps and get a two-hour orientation to the base.

The base’s website says about 120,000 visitors a year stop at the base.

Local tourism officials say the extra day of activities will mean more business for local hotels and restaurants.

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Information from: The Beaufort Gazette, http://www.beaufortgazette.com