NEW YORK, NY

Showtime in New York

Manhattan was packed with diplomats and world leaders on Monday, but it was a platoon of Marines that took the city by storm.

It all started at 2:30 a.m. at 46th and Broadway, with a line of Marines lit only by the glaring displays of Times Square. They came to film another portion of the America’s Marines commercial. But it became a destination event for nearly 150 future and former Marines.

It was a curious scene, people trying to keep quiet in the perpetually noisy Times Square, all intensely focused on the line of 26 Marines performing. No one was more attentive than Art Karin.

The 68-year-old former lance corporal came to the set from Keyport, NJ, with his wife, who guided him to vantage point near the curb. That’s because Mr. Karin lost his sight 15 years ago to glaucoma.

“I don’t see much, but there’s something about being around Marines that just puts me at ease,” he said. “I can’t see these guys, but if I can stand here and just listen. I can see more than most of these other people ever will.”

Elsewhere in the crowd were three proud Marine moms who came in from Connecticut. All three were quick to show 8 1/2 X 11 portraits of their sons and daughters, currently on active duty. Several poolees (those who haven’t shipped to recruit training yet) made the early call as well and pitched in to help pass out t-shirts.

The filming wrapped up just as the sun began to rise, but the Marines’ work was far from done. They quickly relocated to the sidewalk outside Fox News' studios (48th Street/6th Ave) for a live performance on Fox & Friends.

Pedestrians on their way to work were treated to several highlights from the silent drill platoon's regular performance. By the time the brief segment was over, there were crowds on the sidewalk craning to get a better view.

Then it was on to The Early Show at CBS, 11 blocks away. The Marines boarded a bus, but soon hit rush hour gridlock. The Marines made one call and, suddenly, morning commuters were treated to a column of Marines marching, with rifles at port arms, past The Ritz Hotel.

At The Early Show, four of the Marines performed a brief inspection with rifle spins and behind the back throws. It brought raucous cheers to the crowd of more than 150. No one would have even suspected that these guys had been up since 1 a.m.

One tourist from Louisiana was particularly taken by the Marine’s uniforms.

“They can’t eat in their dress blues, they can’t smoke in their dress blues, but they sure do look smoking hot in their dress blues,” she said.

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