VMI was heard in Inaugural Parade
When I settled in for the evening to watch the Inaugural Parade. I checked the Line-up for the parade and there was VMI next to last. It looked to be a long wait.
As the groups marched past the camera, I noticed that a number of militarily uniformed units had someone obviously out of step. I chalked it up to the cold, noise, and other factors that we might be unaware of. I wasn't really optimistic about VMI.
Then, in the far background the camera picked up the VMI front rank begin its column-left onto Pennsylvania Avenue. The camera took some shots of the colorful group in front of them but kept panning back to the steadily approaching gray wall. On they marched. It soon became apparent that this was not a single company or battalion it was the entire Corps, and just as in 1864, they were on the move with something to prove.
One could almost feel the solid chunk as heels dug in together, concentrating not just on getting it right, but getting it right.
Watching the gray wall roll toward the reviewing stand, I saw no one out of step, On they came, rank after rank. The announcer told us that 1200 and some Cadets were appearing in VMI's 13th Inaugural Parade. As the first battalion passed in review, the camera panned to the review stand in time to see Mrs. Obama watching, clearly saying "WOW" and giving them two thumbs up.
Just as it has for 170 years , the VMI Corps of Cadets stood tall for Virginia. Old Stonewall had it right so many years ago--VMI wasn't just there, VMI was heard from.
I truly wish I could write as eloquently as this but the credit for this article goes to John D. Grim from New Market, Va. from the RTD. This is the video that is mentioned in this article if you want to watch it. Use the left arrow to go back to the blogsite if you would like to read other articles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoXlNUPvKS8
John
Thank You
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