Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Established in 1801, Marine Barracks Washington, is the "Oldest Post of the Corps" and has been the residence of every commandant of the Marine Corps since 1806. The selection of the site for the Barracks was a matter of personal interest to President Thomas Jefferson, who rode through Washington with Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows, the second commandant of the Marine Corps, in search of a suitable location. The site now occupied was approved due to its proximity to the Washington Navy Yard and because it was within easy marching distance of the Capitol.
8th and I
"The Oldest Post of the Corps"
Photo Information

The Silent Drill Platoon performs during a joint ceremony with the Fort Henry Guard at Kingston, Ontario, Canada Aug. 17, 2015. The relationship between the Marines and Fort Henry goes back 61 years to 1954 when the Marines first visited the Fort. This visit marked the anniversary of the Ogdensburg Agreement, which was signed by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister King to bind the two nations in the joint defense of North America. Since that time, the two units have paraded together countless times both at the Fort and at Marine Barracks Washington. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Skye Davis/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Skye A. Davis

BCD to Canada

28 Aug 2015 | Cpl. Skye Davis Marine Barracks

Parade season is coming to an end for the summer of 2015 at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., however the U.S. Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment continues to put on phenomenal performances around the world. 

On August 15, 2015, the BCD, featuring the United States Drum and Bugle Corps, Marine Corps Color Guard and the Silent Drill Platoon, woke up before sunrise to travel to Kingston, Ontario, Canada to perform in joint ceremonies throughout the weekend with the Fort Henry Guard.

According to the ceremony program, the Fort Henry Guard, formed in 1938, represents the British troops who were garrisoned at Fort Henry in 1867. The Guard is comprised of civilian University and College students and is specially trained according to the drill manuals used by the British Army in the 1860s. Additionally the Guard features the Drums of Fort Henry, their Infantry and field artillery, Fort Henry East Battery and their mascot “David the Goat”.

Although the Marines and Fort Henry Guard have not performed since the summer of 2011, the performances by the Silent Drill Platoon and United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps displayed ceremonial precision.

The ceremonies were performed in a large stone fort with Lake Ontario in the background.

Unlike the Evening Parades in Washington, D.C., the Fort Henry East Battery’s historical reenactment of drills and battle tactics was a loud and powerful performance, creating a different parade atmosphere.

“The members of the Fort Henry Guard displayed a lot of discipline and were truly professional in their duties representing the historical accuracy of the Fort dating back approximately 150 years,”  said Michael Bell, Silent Drill Platoon commander, Company A.  “I think that the performances went very well, and the crowd absolutely loved the Marines and the Guard”.

The finale was an exhilarating performance of fireworks, lighting the sky with beautiful colors and patterns.

“Fort Henry is a very iconic site on a beautiful backdrop with Lake Ontario in the background, it was rather breathtaking,” said Bell.

According to the program, the relationship between the Marines and Fort Henry goes back sixty-one years to 1954 when the Marines first visited the Fort. This visit marked the anniversary of the Ogdensburg Agreement, which was signed by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister King to bind the two nations in the joint defense of North America. Since that time, the two units have paraded together countless times both at the Fort and at Marine Barracks Washington.

Along with performing in the ceremonies, the two units competed in various athletic activities to increase camaraderie to include soccer and softball.

“I believe not only did we reach out and make some great connections with the Canadians, but we also built a lasting impression of history and good traditions within our own ranks,” said Gunnery Sgt. Berton Chambers, Silent Drill Platoon sergeant, Co. A.

The Marines from the Battle Color Detachment perform in dozens of ceremonies annually. Their next show will be at the Modern Day Marine event in Quantico, Va.  

“We felt very privileged to be in a select group of Marines who had the honor to perform at Fort Henry,” said Bell.  “It was an experience we will never forget, and we’ll commemorate with various Fort Henry Guard memorabilia displayed in the Silent Drill Platoon’s barracks.”