Mayor of East St. Louis, Ill., Alvin Parks, speaks

Mayor of East St. Louis, Ill., Alvin Parks, speaks words of encouragement to Marines Cpl. Matthew J. Light, Sgt. Edgar Y. Meza and Lance Cpl. Richard B. Morton at Lincoln Park, East St. Louis, with National Urban League June 21. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment worked with the league and local volunteers to clean up the park and surrounding areas during Marine Week St. Louis. Marine Week provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the Marine Corps' value to our nation's defense and to preserve and mature the Corps' relationship with the American people.(Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel A. Wetzel)