Real Rifles with Real Bayonets - Damn Proud

[BluesBear]

My brother (yeah the one who ran away to Vegas last year) grabbed his digital camera and maganged to grab a screen shot of his only son, (my only nephew) marching in practice for the big shindig up in DC.

Nephew Jon is a member of the US Navy Honor Guard.
He was chosen for this honor right out of basic.
(He also scored top of his class in marksmanship with the M-16A2 and the M-9)

He is the one on the far right, leading the outside (near) column.
Notice that he didn't wimp out and wear earmuff.
(These PacificNorthWetâ„¢ winters build character)

His first public appearance was the Reagan funeral procession.
We're glad he finally got some face time on TV for a happier occasion.


Needless to say around here we're all mighty proud of "The Kid".




I wonder if that other guy had been elected would they still be allowed to affix those neat Chrome Bayonets to those immaculate M1 Garands?

 

[Daniel964]

Good show. You must be proud.

How you doing now. Are you up and moving. Glad to see your well enough to at least be back online.

 

[Braz]

Cool Bear, now I know what to attribute this warmer weather too. You must be beaming big time.

 

[landon74]

That's really cool, I know how proud I was when my brother graduated from boot camp, but he didn't get to mess any M-14's.

Looking closer at the pics I believe they're M-1's, my bad.

 

[armoredman]

They are M1 Garands, demilled, and it sucked to be there in Great Mistakes with all those ruined rifles. Go to the weird indoor pistol range, and see all the old Colt Ace 22s sitting there getting beat to death.....
Congrats to that young man, the Navy is a fine service, regardless of what the grunts and jarheads say - no one listens to jet jockeys, anyway.....

 

[homeka45]

You must be proud of this fine young man. Pity those great rifles are demilled.

 

[BluesBear]

For the Reagan funeral I believe he carried a demilled Springfield.

As I understand it his M1 may or may not be demilled. It will depend upon the occasion and how many other seamen are involved. Since he is in the group that also does funerals/burials he can he issued a functioning rifle.
Although the ONLY ammo they will ever be issued for it are ceremonial blanks and they have to cycle the bolt by hand.

 

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

Damn Right !!

The ceremonial Honor Guards of each of our Armed Forces always give me a tingly, tear-filled moment of tremendous pride at their dignity, squared-away military bearing, and the devout patriotism they show and inspire.

I have been part of the miltary (the United States Navy), both active and reserve, for nearly 30 years year -- and every single time I see the Ceremonial Honor Guards\ "do their thing" I get tears in my eyes, goosebumps on my arms, and I get motivated all over again to go down to the recruiter's office and sign up once again proudly to serve my country.

Each of the 4 boys in my family has served in a different branch of service, and we all laugh that if we had a 5th brother, he surely would have served in the Coast Guard.

You must be very proud of your nephew. When you next speak to him, compliment him on being "A.J. Squared Away" and THANK him for serving our nation and making us all proud as he participated in the Second Inauguration of George W. Bush.

Very Respectully,

 

[mondocomputerman]

Looks cool! You should be proud.

 

[13A]

Are those ear muffs? Why do some sailers have them and others do not?

 

[CASKETBEARER]

All right, here it is

The entire marching platoon used M1 Garands- demilled, without ammo, and without a firing pin. Every single one was sanded and refinished by an individual guardsman in preperation for the innaguration. The two riflemen in the colors set, and the guardsmen in the cordon carry bolt action rifles (not sure of the model, but they are blond in color- we call them "whitehouse pieces") with the same modifications except they also have the trigger removed. The only operational rifles are carried by the "firing party" platoon on sets(ceremonies) at funerals.
About the earmuffs, they are supposed to be a part of eveyone's "fallout bag" (bag of gear to be taken to the ceremony), however, some people forgot them. Because of the need to be uniform, we were all instructed to leave the muffs on the bus, but some wusses decided to disobey orders because "they were cold".
We all appreciate the support
Jon

 

[BluesBear]

Welcome Aboardâ„¢ CastetBearer!

You've done your family proud!

I was at the clinic getting fitted for my new brace during the inauguration and didn't get to see very much of it at all.
I saw a group in the distance on the replays that I thought should be you but we couldn't tell for sure.


By the way...

Y'all say hello to my Nephew Jon, the young gentleman pictured at the top of this thread.

Hope you visit us again CasketBearer you'd like it here.
LOTS of good people in here.
Now if we could just get your Dad to join.

 

[Braz]

Hey CB!

You've made your uncle proud, and it must feel amazing to be part of that team. Best wishes and thank you for your service. Hope we see more of ya around here.

 

[armoredman]

Bravo Zulu.

BTW, my ship was the burial at sea vessel for the West Coast, and we used M14s with BFA. GMGSN, USS Pyro, AE24, 86-89.