2nd Marine Division Band ignites the Mardi Gras crowd

Photo By Cpl. Johnny Merkley | The 2nd Marine Division Band marches down the streets of New Orleans during their trip to Mardi Gras March 8. The parade, known as Zulu, was the final parade they performed in for the 2011 Mardi Gras celebration.  

LA, UNITED STATES

03.08.2011

Story by Cpl. Johnny Merkley 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

After four days of travel and five days of hard work, the 2nd Marine Division Band has returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., after its journey to New Orleans for the 2011 Mardi Gras celebration.

The band performed well and got excellent responses from every crowd it appeared in front of.

“The band's performance was nothing less than exceptional,” said Chief Warrant Officer Two Forest Brown, the officer in charge of the Division Band. “I think what they’ve done for the Marine Corps is excellent.”

The band had five different performances within its five-day stay in New Orleans, including four parades through the streets of the city and one inside a convention center filled with thousands of people.

“We tried to maximize our community relations while we were down there by performing as much as possible,” said Brown. “We’re trying to get the most exposure as we can and tell the Marine Corps’ story.”

Each parade was between four to six miles long with thousands of people standing along the streets. The four outdoor parades in which the band played in were Hermes, Endymion, Zeus and Zulu.

“It’s among the top ten things I’ve done in my life as far as reaching out to large audiences,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Frost, a tuba player in the band. “The schedule was definitely intense, but the training was even more so.”

The performances all received positive responses from the crowds. Cheers and applause filled the area each time the band marched by. “This is what I joined for,” said Frost.

“Instilling American people with pride as we march down the street and being the best ambassadors whether it’s stateside or abroad.”

Although the band worked many long hours for several days in a row for Mardi Gras, it immediately prepared for its next performances in Wilmington, N.C., for a St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“January and February were the less busy months. We utilized that time to prepare for situations like this when we have multiple performances in a row,” said Brown. “We always have to properly prepare before we execute.”

• Date Taken: 03.08.2011
• Date Posted: 03.18.2011 13:05
• Story ID: 67297
• Location: LA, US