Photo By Damien Salas | Pfc. Peter Clari, left, A Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old...... read more read more
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - On Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, historic military uniforms, weaponry and music are abundant. In preparation of the 2015 Spirit of America tour, the Soldiers-turned-re-enactors filled the historic military uniform warehouse July 30 for a costume fitting.
The warehouse located on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH —also called the flag shop— holds authentic and recreated military uniforms.
“We have authentic gear spanning from around World War II,” said 1st Lt. Ryan Allgood, a platoon leader for The Old Guard’s Commander-in-Chief’s Guard. “The uniforms before that are typically recreated.”
Spirit of America is a free, two-hour show that combines traditional military ceremony with a large-scale theatrical production. The annual event showcases military discipline, historical reenactments and traditional and modern music.
And for the first time in four years, the show will be performed in the national capital region beginning next month, according to the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. There are nine performances scheduled across two weekends: Sept. 10-12, at the D.C. Armory in Washington, and Sept. 18-19, in Fairfax, Virginia.
But before the curtains rise for the first performance next month, there are weeks of preparations ahead for the cast and crew of all active-duty Soldiers. Auditions were held last week for lead roles. Those who made the cut, along with the show’s total cast of some 300 Soldiers from the U.S. Army Military of District, are now being fitted for the various historical and modern uniforms performers will wear in the show.
As he goes through a turn-style containing hundreds of military uniforms— from the Civil War until present day—1st Lt. Ryan Allgood, a coordinator for the 2015 SOA show, inspects the quality of each uniform as Soldiers try on their character’s period clothing.
“We make sure the uniform is complete and show-ready,” said Allgood. “That includes everything from the way it fits down to the buttons.”
Starting at 8 a.m., along with costume subject matter experts at the flag shop, Allgood and the coordination team pair appropriate coats, ties and undergarments until late in the day.
“We skipped lunch to get through it all,” he said. “There are a lot of fine details that we don’t want to overlook— especially for the bigger roles.”
Once the Soldiers try on the shirts, pants, coats and helmets for their period, they are sent back to the accessory closet, where shoes, hats, belts and anything else they may need are selected for their specific role.
“There are just over 100 different kinds of historical weaponry used in the show, too,” said Allgood.
Featured in the show are ceremonial troops of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.” Elements of The Old Guard who participate include the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the Caisson Platoon, the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and the U.S. Army Drill Team.
MDW officials say Spirit of America offers educational value and are encouraging local schools to bring students to attend the showings. The show provides “history, common values and American musical heritage,” according to an Army letter sent to local schools. Show organizers have even prepared a teacher’s guide designed to serve as a supplement to history textbooks. The guide can be viewed online at http://go.usa.gov/3AMFF.
For more information, and to order tickets, visit www.spiritofamerica.mdw.army.mil or call 1-866-239-9425.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2015 17:03 |
| Story ID: | 172403 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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