thedrifter
11-16-02, 02:59 PM
http://www.estripes.com/photos/11591_111519514b.jpg
Col. Daniel O'Brien, commanding officer of Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C., bends down to pet Sgt. Chesty XI, the first female Barracks mascot. She served since August 1995, marching in 127 consecutive Friday evening parades, traveling to Belleau Wood, France, for anniversary events, and volunteered during her off-duty hours as a pet therapy animal at area hospitals and nursing homes.
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, November 16, 2002
WASHINGTON — It’s a ruff duty assignment, but someone’s gotta do it.
And after seven years (that would be 49 in doggie years), Sgt. Chesty XI on Friday finally got her retirement ceremony, after faithfully marching in 127 consecutive Friday evening parades at the prominent Marine Corps Barracks — and making history as the first-ever female Barracks mascot.
“We’re an equal opportunity group,” quipped Col. Daniel O’Brien, the Barracks commanding officer.
The Corps has had the tradition of using bulldogs as Barracks mascots since the first Friday Evening Parade on July 5, 1957. The parades have become a summer staple for the Corps, drawing thousands of spectators and tourists to the famed parade grounds of the “8th and I” Barracks in the nation’s capital.
On Friday, Chesty XI, actually most commonly called Molly among the Barracks Marines, was designated “mascot emeritus,” but not before the rallied crowd of Marines, clad in their service bravo uniforms, installed her replacement — aptly named Chesty XII.
The canine leathernecks are named after Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller, who enlisted into the Corps in 1917 and became the service’s most decorated Marine. He is historically known for both his bull chest and fearlessness and devotion to duty.
As mascots, duties include appearing in the famed weekly parades, participating in high-profile ceremonies, and promoting the Corps through community service on their off days.
During many of her off days, Molly, registered as a pet therapy animal, visited several area hospitals and nursing homes, “provided cheer and a positive images of the Marine Corps to many retired and former Marines as well as members of the public,” O’Brien said.
And, speaking of “off-days,” the newly installed mascot was neutered over a weekend, so as to bypass convalescent leave — something O’Brien thought his Marines might want to consider emulating (we’re hoping he meant restricting personal affairs to the weekends.)
Born Nov. 9, 2001, Chesty XII weighs in at a scrappy 65 pounds and first enlisted in the Corps on March 28.
Already, he’s earned the National Defense Service Medal and Navy Unit Commendation
http://www.estripes.com/photos/11591_111519046b.jpg
Sandra Jontz / S&S
Pfc. Chesty XII, the bulldog, stands at attention during Friday's Post and Relief Parade at the Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C. Chesty XII relieved Sgt. Chesty XI of her duties as the official mascot of Marine Corps Barracks.
http://www.estripes.com/photos/11591_111519320b.jpg
Sandra Jontz / S&S
Sgt. Chesty XI, aka "Molly," the Marine Corps' first female Barracks mascot.
Sempers,
Roger
Col. Daniel O'Brien, commanding officer of Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C., bends down to pet Sgt. Chesty XI, the first female Barracks mascot. She served since August 1995, marching in 127 consecutive Friday evening parades, traveling to Belleau Wood, France, for anniversary events, and volunteered during her off-duty hours as a pet therapy animal at area hospitals and nursing homes.
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, November 16, 2002
WASHINGTON — It’s a ruff duty assignment, but someone’s gotta do it.
And after seven years (that would be 49 in doggie years), Sgt. Chesty XI on Friday finally got her retirement ceremony, after faithfully marching in 127 consecutive Friday evening parades at the prominent Marine Corps Barracks — and making history as the first-ever female Barracks mascot.
“We’re an equal opportunity group,” quipped Col. Daniel O’Brien, the Barracks commanding officer.
The Corps has had the tradition of using bulldogs as Barracks mascots since the first Friday Evening Parade on July 5, 1957. The parades have become a summer staple for the Corps, drawing thousands of spectators and tourists to the famed parade grounds of the “8th and I” Barracks in the nation’s capital.
On Friday, Chesty XI, actually most commonly called Molly among the Barracks Marines, was designated “mascot emeritus,” but not before the rallied crowd of Marines, clad in their service bravo uniforms, installed her replacement — aptly named Chesty XII.
The canine leathernecks are named after Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller, who enlisted into the Corps in 1917 and became the service’s most decorated Marine. He is historically known for both his bull chest and fearlessness and devotion to duty.
As mascots, duties include appearing in the famed weekly parades, participating in high-profile ceremonies, and promoting the Corps through community service on their off days.
During many of her off days, Molly, registered as a pet therapy animal, visited several area hospitals and nursing homes, “provided cheer and a positive images of the Marine Corps to many retired and former Marines as well as members of the public,” O’Brien said.
And, speaking of “off-days,” the newly installed mascot was neutered over a weekend, so as to bypass convalescent leave — something O’Brien thought his Marines might want to consider emulating (we’re hoping he meant restricting personal affairs to the weekends.)
Born Nov. 9, 2001, Chesty XII weighs in at a scrappy 65 pounds and first enlisted in the Corps on March 28.
Already, he’s earned the National Defense Service Medal and Navy Unit Commendation
http://www.estripes.com/photos/11591_111519046b.jpg
Sandra Jontz / S&S
Pfc. Chesty XII, the bulldog, stands at attention during Friday's Post and Relief Parade at the Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, D.C. Chesty XII relieved Sgt. Chesty XI of her duties as the official mascot of Marine Corps Barracks.
http://www.estripes.com/photos/11591_111519320b.jpg
Sandra Jontz / S&S
Sgt. Chesty XI, aka "Molly," the Marine Corps' first female Barracks mascot.
Sempers,
Roger