Subscribe
As the final seconds of the first half ticked off the game clock, members of Marine Corps Band New Orleans took the field to perform a once in a life time opportunity at half-time of the New England Patriots football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium, Nov. 13, 2016.
The performance was part of a three-day Centennial celebration in the Boston area, which also consisted of several events, including a 5K run, static display, and Centennial concert for local residents, to recognize the achievements and success of the Marine Corps Reserves’ 100 years of service to the nation.
“It is pretty special to be a part of the Marine Corps Reserve Centennial,” said Cpl. Joseph Espinola, anti-tank missileman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Divirion. “Growing up I did not come from a military family, but joining the Marine Corps was something I always wanted to do. It feels good to part of 100 years of history.”
Reserve Marines like Espinola come from every walk of life, bringing an unmeasurable breadth of experience and skill to the force. On and off duty, Reserve Marines in Massachusetts take their Marine Corps ethos of service back to their communities.
“To thank the Marine Corps Reserve for their service, Massachusetts will recognize Nov. 13-19 as Marine Corps Reserve Week,” said Nicholas Rizzo, constituent services aide for the office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a long standing bond with the Marine Corps Reserve. To recognize this bond, the New England Patriots invited the band to perform as part of the National Football League’s “Salute to Service” campaign, which honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
“The NFL is such an outstanding organization and it is wonderful that they have “Salute to Service” to honor [Marines] and other service members,” said Cpl. Julia Buzak, saxophone player with Marine Corps Band New Orleans. “It’s great for everyone to thank the military not only at the game, but around the world.”
As part of the campaign, service members and veterans from all branches of the military were invited onto the field before the game for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.
“It means a lot that the New England Patriots are thinking of the men and women who serve the country,” said Lance Cpl. Nicholas Tremblay, infantry rifleman, 1/25. “It’s surreal to be here on the field [as we celebrate the contributions Reserve Marines have made to his country.]”
As the first half of the game came to a close, the band, led by the drum major Gunnery Sgt. Stacie D. Crowther, marched to center field and performed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Marine Corps Reserve.
The band closed out their performance with a reenactment of the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II. Cheers of the crowd echoed through the stadium as the flag was raised during the playing of the Marines’ Hymn while the band received a standing ovation.
“The energy in the stadium was absolutely phenomenal,” said Buzak. “We put in a lot of hard work for this performance and it definitely paid off.”
Buzak, along with other members of the band and Reserve Marines throughout the country, celebrated 100 years of service on Aug. 29, 2016. Notably, during World War II, by September of 1945, Reserve Marines made up 70 percent of total wartime Marine Corps personnel.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 86,300 Marines from the Marine Corps Reserve have been mobilized in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Reserve Marines have been fully engaged across the globe over the past 15 years of combat operations, serving as the essential shock absorber and force enabler for the active component.
Today, approximately 500 Reserve Marines are providing fully integrated operational support to fleet and combatant commanders around the world. For more information on the history and heritage of Marine Forces Reserve, as well as current Marine stories and upcoming events, please visit www.marines.mil/usmcr100.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 12.07.2016 20:54 |
| Story ID: | 215043 |
| Location: | BOSTON, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 7 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marine Corps Band New Orleans lands gig of a lifetime to celebrate Reserve Centennial, by Sgt Melissa Martens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT