Marine Corps Silent Platoon

We had been advised to attend the Marine Corps Silent Platoon performance at all cost. Inspired by esprit d'corp and discipline, the marching performance is a culmination of over 70 years of dedication to the Corps.

Set on the Parade Ground in front of the Marine Corps Memorial, the performance takes place just as daylight is fading, between 7 and 8 pm.

The Marine Corps Memorial is a 100 ton cast bronze sculpture of the famous Joe Rosenthal photo of the raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima by six Marines and one Navy Corpsman. The sculpture is the largest cast bronze statue in existence, and honors the thousands of American lives lost taking the island from the Japanese. The Memorial is one of only seven memorials in the country to be allowed to fly the American Flag 24 hours a day. A special honor, indeed. Around the base of the Memorial is etched the tribute to the Marine Corps by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz after the victory: "Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue".

The Silent Platoon is based at Barracks Washington at the intersection of 8th and I St, and performs on Friday nights at that location. The Barracks is known as the oldest Marine Corps base, and contains memorabilia from the Corps history. We chose to view the identical performance at the Iwo Jima Memorial because it was a bit closer, and also because it is located at Arlington Cemetery, a place we want to visit soon. The Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps started the evening with an astounding display of intricate marching formations while playing a variety of well known songs. They are know traditionally as "The Commandants Own" to distinguish the Corps from "The Presidents Own".

Hundreds, if not thousands of visitors had gathered on a warm summer evening to pay tribute to all of our Veterans. The current Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter was in attendance, as well as the Commandant of the Marine Barracks.

The precision drill platoon is a 24 man exhibition drill team working with 10 pound M1 rifles with fixed bayonets. Working without audible cues, the Platoon works through a routine of formations and maneuvers that often involve bayonets flying through the air!

Incredibly, these men are doing a takeoff of the NYC Music Hall Rockettes routine, only with carbines and bayonets. The action moves down the line, involving three men, each either preparing to execute, executing, or completing the execution of a precise twist, flip, catch and position of the rifle. Each hand, head and foot movement is exactly and precisely made.

As light faded, the final tribute was the playing of Taps. A moving moment for the standing, respectful crowd.

We left the Marine Corps Memorial with renewed patriotism and hope for our country's future. If young men can execute as these did tonight, they can do anything.

Boarding the subway at the Arlington station, we needed to change trains at the L'enfant station. This is one of the major transfer stations, and probably the busiest in the system.

The top speed of these trains approaches 65 mph between some stations. A real people mover!