Photo By Sgt. JVonnta Taylor | The Tramps of Zulu escort Zulu's king and queen during Lundi Gras Festival at the...... read more read more
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NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 28, 2022) – Lundi Gras is officially underway in the city of New Orleans, commemorated by the arrival of Rex and Zulu via the Mississippi River to the city center.
Rex is an organization founded in 1872, originally created as an attempt to drive tourism to the city of New Orleans in the years following the American Civil War. The organization’s focus revolves around their motto, “Pro Bono Publico,” translated as, “For the public good.”
Rex is chosen from the organization’s members, people who are “devoted to making our beloved city of New Orleans a better place,” says James Reiss III, this year’s king of Carnival.
Reiss served in the Marine Corps for 14 years, beginning his career as an enlisted reservist, drilling at Joint Reserve Base Naval Air Station Belle Chasse, located just south of New Orleans.
“I started my Marine Corps career as a 5811, I was military police as a reservist,” says Reiss, “I graduated college and proceeded to attend Officer Candidates School and then became a 7565, a Cobra attack helicopter pilot.”
Reiss served for 10 years on active duty as an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” for heroism, the nation’s fourth highest honor, for his actions during the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan in August 2004.
“I actually ended my Marine Corps career back at [Joint Reserve Base Naval Air Station] Belle Chasse with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, the Red Dogs,” says Reiss.
Reiss retired as Captain after serving for 14 years, but says “as a leader in the Rex organization I rely on the leadership principles that I learned in the Marine Corps [to make] Rex a successful organization.”
Reiss added, “I love the Marine Corps.”
And the Marines love their community.
Brig. Gen. Len Anderson, commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve and Brig. Gen. Michael McWilliams, deputy commander, Marine Forces Reserve, were present aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Walnut (WLB 205), escorting Rex’s royal party to downtown New Orleans.
The Marine Forces Reserve Band is also participating in parades during the Carnival celebrations, playing for Rex and the parade attendees.
Reiss added, “As Rex this year, I’m very much hopeful that the Marines of New Orleans and [Marine Forces Reserve] will take to the streets, celebrate, fly Marine Corps flags, wear their uniforms and join me in a celebration for all of us to share.”
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| Date Taken: | 03.01.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2022 18:18 |
| Story ID: | 415553 |
| Location: | NEW ORLEANS, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, New Orleans commemorates Marine Veteran as Rex, the King of Carnival, by Sgt Brendan Mullin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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