The Final Marine Corps Evening Parade of 2016

On Friday August 26th, 2016 the Marines at Marine Barracks Washington — better known as the “Oldest Post of the Corps” — performed their final parade of the summer season.

General Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and his wife D’Arcy hosted my wife Stephanie and me for a reception in their garden before the start of the parade.

Friday Evening Parades at the Barracks began over a half a century ago with the kick-off of the Post’s first parade July 5, 1957, drawing a crowd of more than 3,000 spectators. The parades have become an annual summer tradition ever since.

Two days of each summer week are dedicated to these events. Tuesday Sunset Parades are performed at the hallowed grounds of the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery Va., and Evening Parades are showcased Fridays at the historic Marine Barracks.

The performance features sequences from “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and Ceremonial Marchers.

Nearly 5,300 guests were in attendance, making it this season’s most attended parade.

A regular part of the parade is the entrance of Chesty the Bulldog — the Marines’ mascot. Friday was National Dog Day so Chesty was greeted with extra enthusiasm from the crowd.

Thank you to the Marines who made the final evening parade of the 2016 season a huge success.