MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE, Albany, Ga. -- "Oooh. Ahhh."
Those were the sounds that echoed across the parade deck here as thousands of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members, representing all services from throughout the southeastern United States, along with Marines, families, and local civilians, were treated to a performance from the Battle Color Detachment.
The BCD, assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., is comprised of the "The Commandant's Own," the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps; the Silent Drill Platoon; and the Marine Corps Color Guard, led by the Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Blake L. Richardson.
Under the hot, muggy, Georgia sun, "The Commandant's Own" blasted their mix of contemporary music and traditional marching as they stepped out through the program entitled "Music in Motion," performing so well that they even caught the eye of one of their contemporaries.
"It was excellent," said Cpl. John B. Mason, trombone player, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany Band. "It had nice balance, nice tone and a real rich sound. Also, the marching was very precise. They are a force to be reckoned with in the music field."
From the patriotic music to the snap and pop of the Silent Drill Platoon, many youngsters gained a new appreciation for what it means to be a Marine.
"I know we couldn't do that," said 14-year-old Pvt. Robert Pollard, a freshman JROTC member from Lithica High School.
Ultimately, many of the young Marines were impressed with the performance of the BCD and corps values displayed by the Marines on the parade deck.
"Oh, it was great," said 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Burgess, a 17-year-old senior in the Marine Corps JROTC and native of Tallahassee, Fl. "It was outstanding. I like the discipline they had. I liked the overall performance."
For Burgess, the show increased her desire to become one of the few and the proud.
"I'm going to be a drill instructor," said Burgess, a veteran of three BCD performances at MCLB, Albany. "It's what I want to be. I've been wanting to do this for a long time."
From the youngest ROTC member, to the Marines of the base, and to the oldest spectator, the Battle Color Detachment instilled pride and awe in the Marine Corps and the commitments made by those Marines who serve.