AMERICA’S MARINES IN DENVER & LEADVILLE 3:49

Marine 1:
The best thing for me about the Silent Drill Platoon is the brotherhood that we all share. Doing Marines Across America, we’ve gotten to meet so many different types of people. Just like me, I didn’t what the Marine Corps was before I signed up, and I think there’s a lot of people out there like that. This has really been able to influence them.

Retired Marine 1:
I drive any place within driving range to see this team. I was stationed in Quantico, Virginia, and I probably saw them five or six times during the summer. You never get bored seeing this group perform.

Marine 2:
I think America’s always had a lot of support for the Marine Corps. I think they know what we do and what we’re about. I think they appreciate what we do for them.

Retired Marine 2:
When they get to be my age, fifty years from now, they’re going to look back: the bonding that they had over the years, doing things—just like they were doing in the field behind us a few minutes ago––it’s a tremendous feeling towards each other.

Retired Female Marine 1:
You really don’t know what it’s all about until you’re a Marine. Respect and honesty and loyalty to others. I was very proud that I accomplished such an incredible journey, and you carry that with you forever.

Marine 3:
It’s honorable to be able to represent the people that I care about—which isn’t just family and friends—but it’s everybody that lives here in this country with us.

Marine 4:
Everybody I meet is very thankful for what we do, and it’s an indescribable feeling having people feel that way, and knowing what you do is worth what you do.

Retired Female Marine 2:
It is so majestic, it is so awe-inspiring––the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Words cannot express what I feel seeing them here. Devotion… always there, ready, willing to sacrifice… brotherhood. I love it. The Marine Corps is part of me.

Retired Marine 3:
You always need to have a force that’s prepared and ready to defend us. The Marine Corps, obviously, has always been the first group of people on that front. I can’t think of a service that has a more valiant history than the Marine Corps has.

Marine 4:
Coming here and being on Drill Team, performing in front of hundreds, thousands of people––it’s amazing.

Marine 5:
I don’t want to leave. I’m leaving after the end of this year, but I don’t want to. I love this platoon.

Retired Marine 4:
There’s a camaraderie there that just never fails, and I tell ya what, a more dedicated group of individuals I have never come across. It just absolutely astounds me. It does my heart good.