Kilted Aboard Marine Barracks - Washington

[Leatherneck Donald]

Friday night we went to Washington DC for the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks, also known as 8th & I.

To start the afternoon, I wore my 15 year old Leatherneck tartan tank that now does ok with extender straps. We first went to the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico. Last time we were there a couple of months ago for an award ceremony I was also kilted, and had my photo taken with MOH recipient, Dakota Meyer. I bought a USMC polo shirt at the gift shop, but after wearing it at home, I found that a drunk had sewn it together and the collar was cut crooked and all jacked up. This trip, I went in to return it and they asked for a receipt, but I described when I bought it and even offered to show a photo on my phone of the night, so they cheerfully gave me a replacement shirt. We explored the museum and apparently had just missed a TBS (The Basic School) graduation ceremony because the place was overrun with boot louies. After enjoying the museum, we went down the road to the Globe & Laurel, a Marine-themed bar and restaurant. In addition to great food, the decorations are really cool... lots of British Royal Marines stuff, insignia from Marine Corps of numerous nations, knives, the entire ceiling is covered in police department patches from around the world, and a tartan carpet throughout. We also stopped in the adjoining Embassy Cigar Lounge, which I recently learned that my former 1st Sgt. is a partner in. Unfortunately he was not working, so that means another trip up there before too long. (Side story, when he was a young Sgt. he was an embassy security guard when Hanoi fell and was on the last helicopter off of the embassy roof). I then changed into my new shirt in the parking lot, giving all of the Rt. 1 commuters quite a show (Martha! Driving home tonight, I saw a man in a kilt strip half nekkid on the side of the road!" Interestingly enough through the museum, our late lunch, and explorations of the G&L, not a single person seemed to even notice my kilt. I guess that means they are becoming more common-place which is a good thing.

We then drove into DC to the parking near 8th & I. As we were walking to the Marine shuttle bus (very nice buses that the bands and Silent Drill Platoon use for traveling, one young Marine in a suit commented positively on the kilt. While waiting in line to enter the post, the barracks commander, Col. Ben Watson took notice of my kilt and we chatted a moment about the tartan, and I gave him a Clan Leatherneck business card.

Inside, a couple of the young hard-chargers took notice and complimented me/it. The parade was amazing, with the President's Own Marine Band, the Commandant's Own Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Silent Drill Platoon... along with an appearance of LCpl. Chesty XIV (the post bulldog mascot), we had a wonderful time in the unusually cool for August weather.

Here I am on the parade deck before everything got started:

[Dileasgubas]

Did a similar trip with a Marine Corps friend this past May. A first class museum. Also had dinner at the Globe and Laurel. We were fortunate enough to have a Marine driver, who was treated to free dinner and cigars by the locals, just for being a Marine. I seem to remember that one of the bars in the restaurant was done up in tartan but I may be mistaken. Anyway, if you're ever in Quantico, I would recommend both the museum and the restaurant.

[macwilkin]

The Globe and Laurel is owned by MAJ Richard Spooner, who is simply a treasure of Marine history. He was one of the sources of inspiration for a book I just received today via interlibrary loan about COL Peter Ortiz, who served with the French Foreign Legion, the Marines, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) AND the John Ford "Stock Company" Look for him in Rio Grande as the one-eyed Capt. St. Jacques -- and my avatar! <grin>