We are learning that the military is all about ceremonies. Josh's Command changed Commanding Officer (CO) this week and Brand and I attended the ceremony. Josh was a "sideboy" in the ceremony which means he stood along the red carpet and saluted the current CO, incoming CO, and 3rd Marine Logistics Group (MLG) Colonel as they arrived and left the ceremony. It was very interesting, as each arrived and left the ceremony a bell was rang, their name was announced, a sailor whistle was blown, and they were saluted by the sideboys as they walked the red carpet. It was carried out as if the ceremony was held aboard a ship.
Josh is facing the camera on the right saluting the 3rd MLG Colonel as he leaves the ceremony.
The bell ringer.
The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Band.
The Color Guard, notice there is an American flag, a Japanese flag, and a 3rd Dental Battalion flag. The leaving Commander passes the incoming Commander the Battalion flag to symbolize the outgoing CO relinquishing the Command to in incoming CO.
If Josh hadn't been a sideboy in the ceremony he would have been standing in the field the entire time with the rest of the Command. At 9:30 am it was already so hot one sailor collapsed and 3 more stumbled to the side where medics took them away.
1 comments:
He looks so official in his uniform. How fun that you and Brand got to go and see him in his ceremony
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