Someone Is Going To Catch Hell At The Barracks...

On a previous visit to Washington, D.C., my view of the Marine Corps Sunset Parade by the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, was obstructed by the crowds gathered to watch the spectacle.

My sweetie pie had never seen it, so I thought it would be nice to watch it with her. I really enjoyed reading Jarhead and Making The Corps, so this is probably as close as I'll ever get to observing marines in their natural habitat.

The highlight of The Drum and Bugle Corp performance was a medley of songs from the James Bond films. The selections were a nice mix of standards and numbers you wouldn't expect the Marines to be performing. The versatility of the band was impressive.

One of the Silent Drill Team members lost his hat during their performance. I think it might have been knocked askew by one of the rifles. I saw it rise over the top of his head and fall to the ground.

The marine didn't even blink. The drill continued, and the hat was trampled as the marines marched across the field. After they had done their drill, they lined up and faced the audience. The NCO in charge of the marines picked up the hat, walked down the line, and placed it firmly on the head of the marine who lost it.

Somebody is going to be doing a lot of push-ups back at the barracks tonight...