WASHINGTON — U.S. Marines stationed at Marine Barracks Washington ended this week’s Friday night Evening Parade in celebratory agreement, observing that “This one was really something,” even with it being the 57th identical performance in a row.
Evening Parades have been a tradition performed in front of the Commandant’s House at Marine Barracks Washington since 1934, when Col. Emile P. Moses and Maj. Lemuel C. Shepherd noted the beautiful symmetry of the parade deck and decided a performance of drill, music and showmanship was a perfect way to waste everyone’s goddamn time for the next 84 years.
Performed every Friday night in the summer months from May to August—rain or shine—the parades are a great way to involve the surrounding community and show military retirees and professional young women looking for a meal ticket what truly makes the Marine Corps special.
