The Rome Marines Veterans Center, in Rome, New York has been the home of the Marine Corps League – Edward L. Smith Detachment #245 for more than 14 years. On Tuesday 16 July 2024, a tornado ripped through the city of Rome causing massive devastation. One of the casualties of that tornado was the Rome Marines Veterans Center, home of the Marine Corps League Edward L. Smith Detachment #245.

Damage to the Rome Marine Veterans Center/Edward L. Smith Detachment #245 Headquarters, destroyed by a tornado that ripped through Rome, NY.

Damage to the Rome Marine Veterans Center/Edward L. Smith Detachment #245 Headquarters, destroyed by a tornado that ripped through Rome, NY.

Damage to the Rome Marine Veterans Center/Edward L. Smith Detachment #245 Headquarters, destroyed by a tornado that ripped through Rome, NY.

Clean up/recovery and assessment begins at the Rome Marine Veterans Center, home of the Edward L. Smith Detachment #245.

Marines! We adapt and overcome! Rah! says Detachment Commandant Tom Arcuri

Aerial View of the Rome Marines Veterans Center

As members of the Edward L. Smith Detachment assess the damage, Detachment Commandant Tom Arcuri, stated “Our Marine Corps League/ Veterans Center is destroyed! 14 years of hard work gone!”.

Video from local Syracuse news station, WSYR-TV:

The Marine Corps League Department of New York is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Rome Marine Veterans Center/Marine Corps League Edward L. Smith Detachment so that it can rebuild its Detachment.

Please make checks payable to “Marine Corps League Department of New York” and enter “Rome Marines Disaster Assistance Fund” in the memo section. Contributions can be sent to:

Marine Corps League Department of New York
“Rome Marines Disaster Assistance Fund”
PO Box 360
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706-0360

You can also make donations online with your credit card via our secure PayPal server!
Remember to select the “Rome Marines Disaster Assistance Fund: option

The Marine Corps League Department of New York is a IRS recognized 501(c)4 Organization. Donations are recognized as tax deductible for tax purposes. Please support the Marine Corps League and this Disaster Assistance fundraiser. The Marine Corps League Department of New York is registered with the New York State Charities Bureau Registration Number: 02-87-73.

UPDATED: 19 July 2024 10:53 – Added aerial view photograph.
UPDATED: 20 July 2024 22:17 – Added WSYR-TV video.