Battle Colors Dazzle Combat Center
(March 16, 2011) |
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MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS,
Calif. (MCN - 3/11/2011) — Marines with the Marine Corps
Drum and Bugle Corps, known as the “Commandant's Own,” and
the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon from Marine Barracks
8th and I, in Washington, D.C., showcased their world-famous
drill talents, as well as musical performances, during the
Battle Colors Ceremony at the Combat Center's Lance Cpl.
Torrey L. Gray Field.
Installation Marines and
sailors, along with family members, local area elementary
students and retirees, gathered for the annual event. |
Gunnery Sgt. Keith Martinez, the Drum and Bugle Corps
drum major, said the setting here couldn't be better for a
great performance.
“The performance was great; the
weather here is perfect for performing,” said the Kansas
City, Mo., native. “The Marines performed very well today.
We couldn't have asked for more.”
Thanks to their
yearly January training at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma,
Ariz., the band, along with the Silent Drill Platoon, is
always ready for desert performances by the time their
touring season starts in the early part of the year.
Corporal Oscar Franquez, the Marine Corps Silent Drill
Platoon's guide, said he draws inspiration not just from
putting on shows, but especially from doing it aboard the
Combat Center.
“I feel it's a privilege to do what I
do, and to come here,” said Franquez, from Santa Clarita,
Calif. “This is where Marines train before they go overseas,
and it's really just great to come and perform for our
fellow Marines who are getting ready to leave.”
“It's a privilege to do our job, to represent those Marines
who are out, fighting for this country's freedom,” Franquez
continued. “We all love doing what we do. It's
almost that it's our job to remind the public that
there're Marines out there making sacrifices for
them and keeping them safe.”
The performance was a first for Pfc. Jake Velazquez, a
student attached to the Combat Center's Marine Corps |
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Marines with the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon perform their trademark rifle spin March 9, 2011 at the Combat Center's Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field.
A Marine with the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle
Corps talks with kids after the Battle Colors
Ceremony at the Combat Center March 9, 2011. |
Communication-electronics School. He said he
couldn't have enjoyed it more.
“Both shows were awesome,” said the
Phoenix native. “I remember hearing about the Silent Drill
Team, watching videos on YouTube when I was a poolee. It's
something I've been waiting to see in person, and definitely
wasn't a disappointment.” |
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Article and photos by USMC Cpl. M. C. Nerl
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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