Courtesy Photo | Col. Johnny Davis, commander, 3rd U.S. Infantry regiment (The Old Guard), listens to...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) remains steadfast in its commitment to our nation and our fallen service members. It has been an exciting and busy year for the regiment. The Old Guard participated in its annual events: The Twilight Tattoo series, Flags In, the Army’s 240th Army birthday celebrations, the Spirit of America military pageantry and one of the largest 10-mile races in the world: The Army Ten-Miler.
In addition, The Old Guard provided support to dignitary visits throughout the National Capital Region, including Pope Francis’ historic visit to Washington in September.
Foreign dignitaries from Japan, Nigeria, India and Germany were welcomed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the White House. The Old Guard also hosted ceremonies for major changes of leadership in the Military District of Washington: The chief of staff of the Army, retired Gen. Raymond T. Odierno; the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, also retired in a ceremony on Fort Myer hosted by President Barack H. Obama.
The following showcase some of the major events The Old Guard supported in 2015:
Twilight Tattoo is a military pageant that brings history alive. Members of The Old Guard illustrate how the U.S. Army has been wherever our nation has needed us. This season, thousands of people attended the free one-hour spectacle and were wowed by The Old Guard’s brightest. The entire regiment, including the Continental Color Guard, the Caisson Platoon, the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, The U.S. Army Drill Team and Presidential Salute Battery come together to showcase to the Army to the public.
Flags In has been a tradition for the past 60 years. Soldiers from The Old Guard honor America’s fallen heroes by placing American flags at gravesites for service members buried at both Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery just prior to the Memorial Day weekend. In four hours, Soldiers from The Old Guard meticulously placed more than 400,000 flags at every tombstone and niche.
The Army was founded June 14, 1775. The Old Guard celebrated the 240th Army birthday in New York City’s Times Square with the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and U.S. Army Drill Team providing ceremonial support.
The Spirit of America show was a tremendous success. Members of The Old Guard brought American history to life in a two-hour stage production that rivals any production in scale and grandiosity. Thousands of people attended the free show at the DC Armory and the Eagle Bank Arena. More than 300 Soldiers from The Old Guard educated young and old alike.
The Army Ten-Miler race is the third largest 10-mile race in the world. This year, over 35,000 people participated. The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and U.S. Army Drill team performed exhibitions for the runners and their supporters.
The Old Guard welcomed Pope Francis in his first U.S. visit. Starting with an arrival ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base and a full armed forces review at the White House, The Old Guard represented our nation’s Army with precision.
Another aspect of The Old Guard’s mission is to be the face of the Army to foreign leaders. The Old Guard greeted Japanese and Nigerian dignitaries at the White House and met the expectations of the world. The ambassador of Germany and the defense minister of India were welcomed as The Old Guard provided the precision and dedication people expect from the U.S. Army.
In addition to supporting these historic events in 2015, The Old Guard’s ongoing mission to honor fallen service members with ceremonial support is the regiment’s top priority. A family’s only experience with the U.S. Army may be when The Old Guard memorializes a loved one. The Old Guard strives to meet the highest standards so that limited experience reflects the respect we have for our brothers and sisters.
In 2015, The Old Guard provided ceremonial support to some 3,000 funerals in Arlington National Cemetery, including about 770 full honors ceremonies. Additionally, the regiment supported 451 Department of the Army retirement ceremonies, 18 plane-side honors and 826 Continental Color Guard missions. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performed 525 times, while more than 5 million people visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
This year will be another chance for The Old Guard to shine again as the Army’s official escort to the president of the United States and our nation’s premier memorial affairs and ceremonial unit.
| Date Taken: | 01.07.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.07.2016 18:24 |
| Story ID: | 185802 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, The Old Guard reflects on a busy year of ceremonial, dignitary support, by SPC Brandon Dyer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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