 We are very proud to have with us this evening a number of veterans and veterans groups who are visiting from around the country, including several Marine veteran organizations. In addition, we are privileged to welcome service members who sustained injuries on active duty, as well as their family members who have also sacrificed so much in support of our wounded warriors. Ladies and gentlemen, please join us in saluting these and all the outstanding Americans in attendance who defended this nation and the freedoms we cherish, our military veterans. To all our guests, welcome and thank you for attending our ceremony. We hope you enjoy your visit here at the oldest post of the corps, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. Ladies and gentlemen, please join in welcoming our host for this evening, the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Lieutenant General Mark R. Wise, accompanied by his wife, Terry. And now, please join in welcoming our guest of honor for this evening, the British Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Dame Karen Pierce, 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 5, 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. Performed by the President's own United States Marine Band, the band traces its roots back to July 11, 1798, when an act of Congress authorized the Marine Corps to employ a drum major, a fife major, and 32 fifers 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 Disney's oldest active post of the United States Marine Corps. Just beyond the north end of the parade deck stands the historic Home of the Commandants. It has been the residence of every Marine Commandant since its completion in 1806. The present occupants are the 38th Commandant and his lady, 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. It 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, degree 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. Our color guard before you is unique. Planked 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. Marine Drum and Beagle Corps will open its concert this evening with a march composed by John Philip Sousa, commissioned by a young news publication of the same name, The Washington Post. The concert continues with the medley of classics originally written by the iconic British rock and roll band of the 60s, The Beatles. Ladies and gentlemen, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. is proud to present the Commandant Sousa, United States Marine Drum and Beagle Corps, production of being the only active duty drum and beagle corps currently serving in the United States armed forces. This evening's concert will close with the timeless and triumphant work by Piotr Iliac Tchaikovsky, the 1812 Overture. 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 Sousa, Washington, D.C., to have as our guest of honor this evening the British Ambassador to the United States. Her Excellency, Dame Karen Pierce, being our distinguished guest in the reviewing area are the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Lieutenant General Mark R. Wise, and the Commanding Officer of Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Colonel Robert A. Suchard. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for honors. 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 were 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 hold their infantry skills in preparation for future service in combat units of the Marine Corps' Fleet Marine Forces. As we observe evening colors, as we bring the evening parade to a close, 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 days 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes our ceremony. You are free to depart the barracks at this time and we ask that you please remain clear of center walk until the official party has departed and the crescent has been dismissed. Those guests who are interested will then have an opportunity to meet and photograph Chesty the 16th, the drum majors of the President's own and the Commandant's own and the color guard. On behalf of Marine Barracks Washington D.C., thank you for your attendance this evening and Semper Fidelis. We hope you have enjoyed your visit here at Eighth and I, the oldest post of the Corps.