thedrifter
07-12-08, 06:40 AM
Marine Sunset Parade
By Frederick Poole
Pentagram Staff Writer
The Marines of Marine Barracks Washington performed their traditional Sunset Parade Tuesday evening with the community gathered at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Hundreds gathered to witness the United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps perform a variety of musical selections, observe the percision movements of the Marine Silent Drill Platoon and pay respects to fallen service members.
Dressed in red coats, white pants and grasping instruments, members of the Drum and Bugle Corps opened up the ceremony at 7:00 p.m. with familiar melodies such as ‘‘Oh What a Night” and the more traditional ‘‘Stars and Stripes Forever.” The audience appeared to enjoy each medley played.
Next came the presentation of the colors as the band performed the ageless ‘‘Star Spangled Banner.” The presentation of the colors has been performed since the Revolutionary War to the present day. The Marine Corps Battle Colors is decorated with oak leaf clusters and stars and represents more than 400 awards and campaigns of the U. S. Marines.
According to Gunnery Sgt. James R. Kesl of Marines Barracks Washington, the Sunset Parade is traditional and holds a huge amount of history.
Following the presentation of the colors was the Silent Drill Platoon. They have performed in the Sunset Parade since 1948 and travel worldwide executing their routine for hundreds and thousands of spectators annually. The audience stared quietly in amazement as each choreographed movement was made without any verbal cues. Once done, the audience cheered, admiring the precise footwork and the Marines’ handling of their one-and-a-half pound, M-1 rifle, each with bayonet attached.
The guest of honor for the evening was James W. Carrier, a board member of the Fisher House Foundation. He was accompanied by the Commander of Marine Corps Systems Command, Brig. Gen. Michael M. Brogan and the Commanding Officer of Marine Barracks Washington D.C, Col. W. Blake Crowe.
As the ceremony came to a close, a multi-gun salute was followed by a bugle call that honored fallen patriots who served the country with valor and died for the U. S. The Sunset Parade was concluded once the retirement of the colors was performed.
‘‘The whole ceremony was well-received, but the most emotional part was the tribute to our fallen Soldiers and Marines,” said Cedric Leighton, a citizen attending the parade.
This ceremony occurs every Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. until July 28 then will have its final two ceremonies Aug. 5 and Aug. 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30p.m.
By Frederick Poole
Pentagram Staff Writer
The Marines of Marine Barracks Washington performed their traditional Sunset Parade Tuesday evening with the community gathered at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Hundreds gathered to witness the United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps perform a variety of musical selections, observe the percision movements of the Marine Silent Drill Platoon and pay respects to fallen service members.
Dressed in red coats, white pants and grasping instruments, members of the Drum and Bugle Corps opened up the ceremony at 7:00 p.m. with familiar melodies such as ‘‘Oh What a Night” and the more traditional ‘‘Stars and Stripes Forever.” The audience appeared to enjoy each medley played.
Next came the presentation of the colors as the band performed the ageless ‘‘Star Spangled Banner.” The presentation of the colors has been performed since the Revolutionary War to the present day. The Marine Corps Battle Colors is decorated with oak leaf clusters and stars and represents more than 400 awards and campaigns of the U. S. Marines.
According to Gunnery Sgt. James R. Kesl of Marines Barracks Washington, the Sunset Parade is traditional and holds a huge amount of history.
Following the presentation of the colors was the Silent Drill Platoon. They have performed in the Sunset Parade since 1948 and travel worldwide executing their routine for hundreds and thousands of spectators annually. The audience stared quietly in amazement as each choreographed movement was made without any verbal cues. Once done, the audience cheered, admiring the precise footwork and the Marines’ handling of their one-and-a-half pound, M-1 rifle, each with bayonet attached.
The guest of honor for the evening was James W. Carrier, a board member of the Fisher House Foundation. He was accompanied by the Commander of Marine Corps Systems Command, Brig. Gen. Michael M. Brogan and the Commanding Officer of Marine Barracks Washington D.C, Col. W. Blake Crowe.
As the ceremony came to a close, a multi-gun salute was followed by a bugle call that honored fallen patriots who served the country with valor and died for the U. S. The Sunset Parade was concluded once the retirement of the colors was performed.
‘‘The whole ceremony was well-received, but the most emotional part was the tribute to our fallen Soldiers and Marines,” said Cedric Leighton, a citizen attending the parade.
This ceremony occurs every Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. until July 28 then will have its final two ceremonies Aug. 5 and Aug. 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30p.m.