Photo Information

Photo by Cpl. Jess Levens

Super-band rocks Rose Parade in Pasadena

27 Nov 2007 | Cpl. Jess Levens Marine Corps Recruiting Command

Marine Band San Diego, combined with bands from Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, 1st Marine Division and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., marched in this year's Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., New Year's Day. Marine Corps Band San Diego's Staff Sgt. Jesse Barta led the band as drum major.

The super-band of more than 120 Marines assembled before sunrise on a residential street in Pasadena, decked out in Dress Blue uniforms. The frosty streets were already lined with spectators and sports fans in sleeping bags and on air mattresses. Some had fires burning, and others had TV and video games. Michigan blue, a regular Rose Bowl color, showed in the crowd, but Texas Longhorn burnt orange, a new color to the Rose festivities, mixed into the streets of Pasadena.

The Marines, the first band to march in the parade, embarked on the five-plus-mile route between floral floats and dancing cartoon characters. Nearly everyone the Marines passed stood to their feet and applauded and yelled "Thank you" and other encouraging comments.

"The Rose Parade is really motivating," said Sgt. Matt Garris, a Marine Band San Diego tuba player and three-time Rose Parade veteran. "We are seen by millions of people, and it's a good feeling. People show their appreciation, and it's really our time to shine. It's by far the hardest march we do every year, but it's worth it."
Marine Corps Recruiting Command