Marines plan week of events for Phoenix

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - The 6th Annual Marine Week is finally here, it's the Marine Corps biggest community outreach event of the year, and this year they chose to have it in Phoenix.

The Marines are here for Phoenix Marine Week that officially starts on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Civic Space Park in downtown Phoenix, but before then they're kicking it off by painting a mural.

"See what looks good, just try to blend the colors, and take a step back every now and then and see if it looks good," said Cpl. Laura Raga.

Corporal Laura Raga is a combat illustrator; she's one of 800 marines in Phoenix for the event.

"We're sticking with an Arizona theme, so here is the landscape we have here, and right now I'm working on the canyon getting the details down," said Raga.

Marine Week is a chance for the public to get a better understanding of what Marines do. They can even participate in more than 30 events like aerial demonstrations and martial arts.

"This is our 6th Marine Week that we've put on, and we're honored that we can do this in Phoenix," she said.

Events will go on through Sunday in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, Mesa, and Scottsdale.

Lt. Holliday says painting the mural is their gift to the city after they leave.

For more information visit: http://www.marines.mil/CommunityRelations/CommunityEvents/MarineWeek2015.aspx