For those of you who never served in the Marines, or have had any direct
contact with the Corps, no explanation is possible. For those of us who
did and do serve, no explanation is necessary.
Semper Fi,
author unknown
I recently attended a Kansas City Chiefs football game at Arrowhead
Stadium.
It was their annual Veteran's day salute so members of all the services
were
asked to participate in the festivities.
A color guard for the National Anthem was provided by the Buffalo
Soldiers
Association. They looked very sharp in their 1800's era U.S. Army
Cavalry
uniforms.
Following that the U.S. Navy parachute team put on an
impressive
display that brought great cheers from the 78,000 football fans in
attendance.
Shortly after that we were treated to the truly awesome
sight of
an Air Force B-2 Stealth bomber flyover as well as a few other aircraft.
All
of these sights were truly appreciated by the crowd (especially the B-2)
who
let it be known by their cheers. I expected that was all that we would
see
of the Military that day.
I thought we would see a high school or college marching band during
halftime. Few watch these shows anyway because they have to use the head
or
grab another beer (or two) during the intermission.
Shortly before half time, however, I looked down on the sidelines near
the
end zone and saw the Silent Drill Platoon forming up. As the halftime
started the players left the field and the announcer came on the public
address system and advised us of the Platoons performance. Many of us
Marines have seen these performances in the past and they are always
awe-
inspiring. I did not expect that the large "civilian" crowd of football
fans
would be as appreciative of the Silent Drill Platoon as they had been of
the
high-tech B-2, or the daring
of the Navy parachute team. I however was on the edge of my seat.
As the
Platoon marched onto the field it was very noticeable that the crowd
was
growing quieter. Soon the Platoon was fully into their demonstration and
the
stadium was silent.
From high in the stands upper reaches where my seats were I was
able to
hear
the "snap and pop" of hand striking rifle. Both big screen scoreboards
displayed close ups of the Marines as they went through their routine.
As
they completed their platoon demonstration and lined up for the
inspection
the crowd began cheering as the Marines twirled their rifles in
impossible
fashion. Then came the inspection. Again the crowd fell silent and
watched
intently as rifles were thrown, caught, twirled, inspected and thrown
some
more. Each well practiced feat brought a "wow" or "did you see that?"
from
those sitting behind me or next to me.
I sat there in my silent pride as I watched my brother Marines exit the
field. A young girl behind me asked her mother a question about how the
Marines learn to do the things they just did. The mother replied "They
practice long and hard and they're Marines, so they're the best".
