NEW ORLEANS – In the midst of a sea of bodies draped in black and gold stood a figure that did not sway with the rest. It was a figure in red, white and blue who instead of tailgating, proudly guarded a donation box filled with toys. Passers-by gazed in awe as they neared the figure.
A woman stopped and could not help but to ask, “Are you in the Army?”
The man let a smile escape.
“No ma’am. I am a U.S. Marine,” he said.
The New Orleans Saints celebrated military appreciation day Sunday, Dec. 4, and Marine Forces Reserve Marines used that as an opportunity to reach out to the community. Various events took place throughout the day that allowed the public to make a connection with the Marines and other service members.
Marine Corps volunteers stood at five locations around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome collecting donations for Toys for Tots, a Christmas fundraiser that originated in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1947. The collected toys and donations go to families who are in need of a little extra help giving their children presents during the holiday season.
Toys for Tots volunteers were not the only Marines present, members of Marine Corps Band New Orleans came and put on a performance for pregame entertainment. The band played for approximately an hour at Championship Square outside the dome where fans gather to have a good time before Saints games begin.
“The crowd seemed to respond well, and the musicians responded well. We left everything we had out on the stage,” said Master Sgt. Kevin M. Hunter, the bandmaster and a tuba player in the band.
During the performance, Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, the commander of MARFORRES, pumped up the audience from a balcony by throwing Marine Corps T-shirts and lanyards to the outstretched hands below.
Once they made their way into the Superdome, the Marines had a few more appearances to make before the Saints game began.
Approximately 25 young adults were sworn into the Marine Corps on the football field by Hummer. Those individuals will eventually go on to boot camp in hopes of earning the title of a United States Marine.
After the oath of enlistment, 60 Marines along side other service members stretched out a large American flag shaped like the United States over the field while the national anthem was sung.
“I was very proud to see how well the Marines were dressed and represented the Marine Corps,” said Sgt. Maj. James E. Booker, the sergeant major of MARFORRES who was there accompanying Hummer.
He believes Marines have a long way to go when it comes to the community’s awareness of the Marine Corps presence here in New Orleans, but events like this serve as great leaps toward that mission accomplishment.
Gunnery Sgt. Merrell Moore, a financial fiscal staff noncommissioned officer in charge at MARFORRES, organized the group of Marines that unfolded the flag. He believes the Marines need to get out of the office more and show the community what they are all about.
“Everyone is relying on the public to perceive us as great people,” he said. “We need to go out there and reach to them to say, ‘Hey, we’re around. We care for you guys, and we’re here to support.’”
Hunter, who sees a lot of the community while traveling with the band, believes the public certainly does know the Marines are here. He also says there is more that can be done to make sure they do not forget it.
“We’re just out there trying to remind them,” he said. “Not only are we here, but we are just as much members of the community as native New Orleanians.”
Even out of uniform, Marines play a role in the community. They drive on the same roads, eat at the same restaurants and shop at the same stores as the rest of the community. A few of them might even tailgate at Saints games.