ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Missouri National Guard recently participated in the 16th Annual St. Louis Gateway Classic and AmerenUE Parade in downtown St. Louis.
The parade was part of the festivities surrounding the Gateway Classic football game between Kentucky State University and Tuskegee University at the Edward Jones Dome. The event raised money for the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, which provides scholarships to underprivileged high school students to attend historically black colleges and universities.
Brig. Gen. Steven L. Danner, Missouri adjutant general, served as parade grand marshal.
"I am so proud and honored to be a part of this great tradition," Danner said. "The unique strength of the Missouri National Guard is that it is a community-based organization. What better way to celebrate that strength than to partner with the Gateway Foundation and Earl Wilson's team?"
Following behind were elements of the 1138th Transportation Company, the 3175th Military Police Company, members of the Funeral Honors Program and Soldiers of the 1-138th Infantry Regiment. Also participating were recruiters with the 27th Recruit and Retention Battalion, and the 135th Army Band, based in Springfield.
"The band is a 50-member unit and we perform throughout Missouri," said Sgt. 1st Class Roger Kirchner. "Last year, we performed more than 144 musical missions in front of 500,000 people. Our mission is to promote the will to fight in Soldiers and also to perform for community relations and to improve the visibility of the Missouri Army National Guard."
Marching in perfect precision, the 135th performed "Washington Post" and "The US Army Song."
"This is a lot of fun for us," Kirchner said. "This is the best job in the Missouri National Guard."
Maj. Craig Gatzemeyer, commander of the 27th Recruit and Retention Battalion, said involvement in the parade boosted the Guard's visibility in St. Louis.
"This benefits the National Guard as a recruiting opportunity, but it also allows us to be involved in a very worthwhile organization that benefits our young adults," Gatzemeyer said. "We are very proud of our organization and always take great pride in being involved in the community."
Dark clouds loomed overhead as the parade took shape in the staging area, but the sun made an appearance just the National Guard units arrived and shined throughout the event. Not a coincidence, joked Gatzemeyer.
"The adjutant general directed there would be no rain today, so there will be none," he said with a smile.
On the gridiron, Tuskegee prevailed over Kentucky State in overtime, 35-28.
For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-888-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2009 09:03 |
| Story ID: | 39417 |
| Location: | ST. LOUIS, US |
| Web Views: | 362 |
| Downloads: | 284 |
This work, National Guard 'orders sunshine' for 16th Gateway Classic Parade, by Bill Phelan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
