PASADENA, Calif. -- The Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, stationed aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., celebrated the New Year for the 16th consecutive year by riding in the 121st annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.
As with any mission, these Marines had a plan. They set up camp at the scene of the Rose Parade the night before. Gunnery Sgt. Peter McConnell, staff noncommissioned officer of the MCG said.
“We left at 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve,” he said. The reason for the early departure was to ensure that enough time was available to prepare for the event, he added.
The Color Guard awoke early New Year’s Day to begin grooming and prepping the horses for their ride in the parade.
Marines riding with the MCG for the event spanned from lance corporals to the base commanding officer, Col. Daniel P. Ermer and base sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Berg.
“This is my first ride in the Rose Parade,” Ermer said. “It should prove to be a memorable experience,” he added.
Since 1994 the MCG has participated in the Rose Parade, McConnell said. “It’s an honor to be part of this tradition,” he added.
The streets on the parade route were closed off the night before and bleachers were set up along the 5.5 parade route after the roads were secured.
It was still dark New Year’s Day as the Rose Parade crowd poured in to quickly fill the available seating. Many spectators stopped to commend the MCG on their service to the country or pose for a quick photo with the Marines and their horses.
Shorty before the parade’s 8 a.m. launch, McConnell called the MCG to attention to salute the colors that they were to carry through the parade and then formed the Guard up for the start.
The MCG stepped out to the welcoming roar of hundreds of thousands of spectators lining Colorado Boulevard and the rest of the parade route.
There were no spots on the side of the street not filled by people watching the passing floats, marching bands, or equestrian units.
As the MCG came to the end of the parade, they dismounted and critiqued their performance while preparing for the trip back to MCLB Barstow. They also began planning for the next Tournament of Roses Parade.
“We take all year to prepare for events like this,” McConnell said. We never stop or take breaks from showing the world the United States Marine Corps, he added.