 Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the oldest post of the Corps, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., celebrating over six decades of performing evening parades here in our nation's capital. The ceremony you are about to witness was first conducted at the barracks on July 5th, 1957. While the parade is standard for marine units throughout the world, some elements have been modified to showcase the unique abilities of our marching and musical units. The mass formation of troops on one long line at close interval made possible the massing of firepower from muzzle-loaded muskets of the past. The adjutant forms the line of battle, and in those early days that line consisted of two or three ranks, much like the parade formation you will see this evening. Tonight, we celebrate the pride, professionalism, and esprit de corps that are hallmarks of this barracks and the Marines who have distinguished these hallowed grounds for over two centuries. They represent all Marines around the globe who embody our Corps' values of honor, courage, and commitment. In our ceremony with a performance by the President's own United States Marine Band, the band traces its roots back to July 11th, 1798, when an act of Congress authorized the Marine Corps to employ a drum major, a fife major, and 32 Pfeifers and drummers. Today, the Marine Band has more than 150 members who proudly carry out its mission of providing music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The band will open with a march composed by John Philip Sousa, entitled El Capitan, Philip Sousa, who led the band from 1880 to 1892. Of all his marches, one so embodied our American spirit that in 1987 an act of Congress proclaimed it the National March of the United States. Ladies and gentlemen, celebrating over 224 years of serving as the guardian of American musical tradition, the Marine Band will perform Sousa's most famous march, The Stars and Stripes Forever. General and Mrs. David H. Berger, during our nation's bicentennial in 1976, the barracks and the Commandant's house together were designated a National Historic Landmark. The barracks this evening is a replica of the National Ensin, displaying 15 stars and 15 stripes that would have flown here in 1801. Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to introduce the official mascot of Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. Private Chesty the 16th, a pedigree English Bulldog Private Chesty the 16th enlisted in the Marine Corps on 14 March 2022 and completed recruit training on 25 March 2022. The first barracks mascot was named in honor of the most decorated Marine in history, Lieutenant General Louis B. Chesty Polar, a name that has been inherited by every mascot of the oldest post. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of the colors. The card before you is unique. Flanked by two Marine riflemen, our national flag is carried by the color sergeant of the Marine Corps, while the Marine to his left carries the official battle color of the Marine Corps. The 55 streamers and silver bands displayed with the battle color commemorate the military campaigns in which Marines have participated. They span the entire history of our nation from the Revolutionary War to the combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Decorated with palms, Oakley clusters and stars, they represent more than 400 awards and campaigns of the United States Marines. It is the privilege of Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. to be entrusted with the custody of this battle color. Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Marines in the spotlight represent over seven decades of marching and rifle drill precision, a legacy of honor, commitment and discipline that began during the sunset parades of 1948. The M1 rifles they carry with fixed bayonets are standard for all our marching platoons and weigh in excess of 10 and one half pounds. The platoon executes its drill sequence without verbal cadence or commands. Ladies and gentlemen, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. proudly presents the United States Marine Corps silent drill platoon. The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps will open its concert this evening with the operatic pop rock classic by Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody. The concert continues with the haunting and lush ballad by Richard Rogers and Laurence Hart, made popular by Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis. It never entered my mind. Ladies and gentlemen, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. is proud to present the Commandant's own United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. In 1934, the Commandant's own has the distinction of being the only active duty drum and bugle corps currently serving in the United States armed forces. This evening's concert will close with a movement from Giuseppe Verdi's famous Requiem, D.S.E.R.A. Tonight's performance will feature the saluting battery of the Barracks, which will be fired by the body bearer section of the oldest post. Ladies and gentlemen, celebrating over 88 years of marching and musical excellence, here is once again the Commandant's own Washington, D.C. to have as our guest of honor this evening, the Secretary of the Interior, the Honorable Deb Haaland. Our distinguished guests in the reviewing area are the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David H. Berger, and the commanding officer of Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Colonel Robert A. Sutter. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for honors. Ladies and gentlemen, as we prepare for pass-in review, please direct your attention to the two marching companies assembled before you. These companies are comprised of infantry Marines who are hand-selected to serve at Marine Barracks Washington. In addition to parade support, these companies conduct joint service honor ceremonies at the Pentagon, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the White House. These Marines also have the solemn duty and distinct honor of performing dignified transfer ceremonies for fellow Marines who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country, as well as laying our Marines and their families to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. When not performing ceremonial functions, the Marines of companies A and B hone their infantry skills in preparation for future service in combat units of the Marine Corps' Fleet Marine Forces. Ladies and gentlemen, we ask that you please rise when the colors approach you, as we observe evening color, the ceremonial bugler of Marine Barracks Washington shall emerge atop the ramparts and pay tribute to our beloved falling comrades by sounding taps. This historic bugle call originated in the U.S. during the mid-1800s as a way of signaling to troops the day's end and lights out. It would later become a way of saluting the honored debt throughout our American Civil War. Today, it is the final and perhaps most solemn element performed at all military funerals. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing as we now honor those gallant men and women who have given their lives in the service of our country.