AMERICA’S MARINES IN NASHVILLE/COLUMBIA
(Ep 102) 4:14

Cpl Daniel Anderson:
Silent Drill Platoon started in 1948 as a small thing at the sunset parades in Washington D.C. and it’s really been growing over the last ten years. It was a pretty big step coming from being a marcher to becoming a drillmaster. The drillmaster throughout the years has been in charge of keeping the tradition alive, the small things we do that make us the Silent Drill Platoon. It’s great to be kind of at the helm of that and be able to create some new things.

Marine 1:
Everywhere we go, especially middle Tennessee, where I’ve been for the past couple years, everybody really goes out of their way to tell you, you know, thank you for your service and it means a lot.

Female 1:
I’m very proud of them.
They’re young guys and this is the avenue that they chose. And they could have done so many other things in life and as young as they are and they do this, that’s very impressive and it makes me proud.

Female 2:
When we read it in the paper yesterday, I called my mother and mom was just excited and my heart’s all aflutter just to see it because it’s amazing.

Cpl Daniel Anderson:
I’d say the best part about becoming a Marine is stepping up and learning leadership at a young age. I’m 20 years old myself and I’m put in a position where I’m in charge of people who are older than me, people who are of various backgrounds and I think it’s a great opportunity to learn leadership in the workplace. That’s probably the thing I’m most thankful for because I know if I choose to get out of the Marine Corps I have the potential to do good things as a leader.

Male 1:
I grew up during World War Two as a young teenager and the Marine Corps were my heroes. In fact in Korea when we were surrounded by the Chinese, it never occurred to me that we had a problem.

Cpl Daniel Anderson:
You can’t beat a half-time show. It’s the top of the top.

Female Spectator 1:
We really liked it when they threw their rifles and everybody caught it. That’s shows they were really working together as a team.

Female Spectator 2:
They were very good, weren’t they? It was very impressive.

Female Spectator 3:
The integrity of these guys is amazing. That someone gives their whole being into a cause. It’s amazing.

Male 1:
I don’t think a lot of people realize how much of a sacrifice they’re making and for people living here, especially like us, I’m just really grateful what they’re doing for the country.

Cpl Daniel Anderson:
It’s personal pride; it’s protecting people who might not have the opportunity to serve, who want to but just can’t and knowing that I can step up and protect other people is a great feeling.

Female Spectator 4:
You hear a lot of thank yous, but I still want to thank you for all the service you’ve given up for us and to this country.

Female Spectator 5:
The Marines definitely have my heart.