To most, it would seem an easy task to change a 5:30 p.m. parade into an Evening Parade.  However, it turned out to be far more complicated than that.

A typical "Sunset" Parade
(Photo courtesy of Col. Roy Batterton, USMC (Ret))

Teh first problem was determining a proper time for the new parade.  The basic decision was whether to have the parade before dusk, at dusk, or at night.  During the summer, Washington, DC is on Eastern Daylight Time, and for most of the summer full darkness does not occur until approximately 9:00 p.m.  If the new parade was be scheduled for that time, major logistical problems were involved in getting adequate lighting for the event, as the Barracks had none.

While the initial decision to have the parade at a later hour was made, the final decision as to how late it should start was deferred until Lt.Col. Roy Batterton (the Barracks XO) returned from the Bermuda Tattoo (done after sunset "under the lights") with a recommendation.  His recommendation, enthusiastically agreed to by Col. Robert Heinl (HQMC's representative at the Tattoo) was that having it in total darkness "under the lights" as done in Bermuda was extremely impressive, and that the 9:00 p.m. time should be used.  For a most interesting account of these events by Col. Batterton (including his observations about Col. Chapman and a paragraph on the beginning of the tradition of beer mugs for Barracks officers), click here.

The Lighting Problem

Powerful spotlights were needed to show the ringing of the bell and the entry of Chesty (the Bulldog mascot), as well as the troops in formation, the Marine Band and Drum and the Bugle Corps, the drill team and the troops as they would "pass in review." In addition, a narrow spotlight would be needed for some parts of the parade, such as the presentation of the National Colors and the introduction of the Marine Battle Color with its many pennants and battle stars, which is kept at the Barracks because it is the oldest post in the Marine Corps.

Major Schmid, the S-4. issued an immediate query throughout the Marine Corps for lighting equipment, which was provided by the photographic unit at the Marine Base in Quantico, Virginia.  Supplying electricity for the lights was another problem, due to the antiquated electrical set-up of the Barracks, and the problem was worked out with PEPCO, the local power company.  Yet another problem was where or how to mount the lights, not knowing whether the parade was a "one-shot" effort, or would be adopted as a fixture for the future.  The lights were hung in the trees in front of the houses known as "Officer' Row," and a "jury-rigged" lighting system control panel was operated by 1st Lt. Gerald Hepp, Ass't S-4 (he had served at the Barracks as an enlisted man in 1948-49 as a member of the first USMC silent drill team).

A unique problem with the lighting was drill teams. A local newspaper said as follows, as it discussed the preparations with Col. Chapman:

"Lighting the silent drill team presented another problem.  Men practicing with bayonet-tipped weapons can't be expected to see what they're doing with lilght glaring in their eyes, so the technicians have to light in and around them. Since there are four separate drill teams with different routines, the lighting has to be different for each of them."

Note: For an excellent description of the details of the lighting problem by Bob Cappock, who was assigned to the Electrical Section, click here.

"Input" by the Commanding Officer

The Barracks CO, Col. (later to be a 4-star general and USMC Commandant) Leonard F. Chapman was known for his attention to detail, as well as being a tireless innovator.   He wanted to dramatize the fixing of bayonets (which had been done to a vocal "count"), and was told by the Band's Drum Major that he recalled that the old "1935 "Manual for Field Musics" contained music for "fix bayonets."  Slight revisions were made to the music for drum beats, and was practiced by the troops many times prior to the Evening Parade.

(From the 1935 Manual)

The main flag was lowered in previous "Sunset parades," and Col. Chapman wanted the flag lowering ceremony continued in the Evening Parade.   As a result of a special exemption, the Barracks became the only Marine Corps installation permitted to fly the flag until it was lowered during the Evening Parade, well past the normal retreat time.  A question arose as to whether the parade announcer [S/Sgt Joe Larkin], hidden by a black-out curtain, should use a recording for the presentation and explanation of the Marine Battle Colors.  Col. Chapman quickly rejected this proposal on the basis that "machines can malfunction, but my Marines, when properly trained, never make mistakes."  Yet another innovation was his direction that buglers be placed on the ramparts to signal that the parade was about to begin and for "taps" at the end of the parade.

Music for the Parade

Also a traditionalist, Col. Chapman wanted to continue the Sousa-influenced music during the parade (although a notable exception was made for the Drum and Bugle Corps rendition of "Scotland the Brave" in it's slow march):  Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" (during the pre-parade Band Concert), the "Washington Post" march, George M. Cohan's "Grand Ole Flag" (to "march on the colors"), the "Star Spangled Banner" for the presentation of the National Colors), and E.E. Bagley's "National Emblem" (by the Drum and Bugle Corps to "post the colors"), and Sousa's "Semper Fidelis" (for the "pass in review").  While the parade was to start at 9:00 p.m., the Band was to begin its pre-parade concert at 8:40 p.m.

Practice, Practice and More Practice

Countless practices were held in the weeks leading up to the first Evening Parade, and, after the lights were installed, practices were held at night, making for an extremely long working day for the troops who began the day at 6:00 a.m.  Since Marine Headquarters wanted a film of the parade, a special "dress rehearsal" was held a week ahead of time, and film crews from the Naval Photo Lab erected towers and dug pits in the parade deck for camera angles (word was passed tha anyone found to have made eye-contact with the camers would be denied a liberty pass for 90 days).  It became obvious that the contrast between the white parts of the uniform (particularly the gloves) emphasized even the slightest mistake in executing commands (the cameras disclosed that some of the drill team (the Second Platoon of the Ceremonial Guard Company was selected as Drill Team for the first Evening Parade) had cut holes on the inside of the fingers of their gloves for improved handling of their rifles — new gloves were immediately issued), and the rehearsal was repeated over and over for the filming (until shortly after 2:00 a.m.).  Unfortunately, the film was destroyed in a fire at the film lab, and was never seen at the Barracks.

One of the final afternoon "Sunset Parades"
(MCI Company commanded by Capt. John Haggerty - Platoon Leaders (l-r)
1st Lts. Steve Trimble, Rick Childress and Tom Lapham)


The First Evening Parade Approaches!

As parade day approached, the anticipated crowd size was proving correct, and a system had to be adopted to efficiently seat them, without mistakes.  Although the "scuttlebutt" was they wouldn't be needed, some two weeks prior to the parade, Marine Corps Institute officers and SNCO course writers were ordered to report in "dress blues with medals," at the Barracks for duty as "supernumeraries" (today they are known as "parade hosts").  This caused problems, as few had polished medals (at the time, 8th & I was the only post in the Marine Corps where medals were polished), and the Band's metal polisher was very busy during that two weeks.

Even greater problems faced some of the officer course writers - reserve officers who were chosen to spend 90 days during the summer at MCI as course writers, most of whom either never had dress blues, or had them and were unable to wear them because they had been destroyed or moth-eaten.  While white trousers and Sam Brown belts were issued by the supply room, these officers had to scramble to order dress blue uniforms and have them fitted, as well as obtain official Marine Corps Mameluke swords of the proper length in time for the parade.

In the end, all problems were solved, and the "supernumeraries" assembed at the Barracks and were inspected by Capt. George Crist, and they were assigned to their posts to greet and seat the guests.

The Barracks was a bee-hive of activity on Parade Day.  A large crowd was expected, and seats had to be obtained from the Band Hall, as well as temporary bleacher seating, all of which had to be carried and put into place by Barracks personnel, many of whom would participate in the parade.  In addition, others worked to make the Barracks "shipshape" by mowing grass, painting, polishing brass, etc.