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Never Forget: The Old Guard Remembers 9/11

Rexedgar said:
Old Guard are wearing ear-muffs for the President Carter funeral procession, not the Marines, Navy or Air Force. Haven’t seen the Space Force yet.
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Marines are so tough, they don't wear ear defenders on a rifle range.
 
For the Army and the Marines Infantry Troops.


Episode 4 | The U.S. Army's Twilight Tattoo: World War II​



In Episode 4, we'll experience how our nation - and our Army - engaged in the greatest conflict in history - the Second World War. The U.S. Army Blues, the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army, will perform.





Episode 5 | The U.S. Army's Twilight Tattoo: The Korean Conflict 1950-53​


Welcome back to The U.S. Army's Twilight Tattoo web series. This week we'll witness the heroic sacrifices of the more than 1.8 million American service members who fought against communism during the Korean War.

Guest soloist Sgt.1st Class Samuel Chung from The United States Army Field Band will join The U.S. Army Chorus of The United States Army Band for a special performance of “Arirang." The U.S. Army Band Downrange will close Episode 5 with "G.I. Blues."






US Marine Corps Ceremonial Guard | Marine Barracks | Naval District of Washington DC

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Relief and Appointment Ceremony​

General Eric A. Smith Commander of Ceremony | Speechmaking Begins at 37:00

70,197 Views


Sergeant Maj. Troy E. Black relinquishes his post as 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps to Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Aug. 10, 2023. The barracks since 1802 is the original and oldest barracks of the Corps.

Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz assumed the duties and responsibilities of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and will serve as the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

This top enlisted position E-9 of each service is chosen by the uniformed chief of the service from among a short list of three finalist candidates among those advanced from various commands of the particular force.

This is an all NCO affair btw in which the commander of troops is a Master Gunnery Sergeant E-9 with a staff of other high ranking senior NCOs. For this special occasion, the two company commanders and the six platoon leaders are the unit sergeants. By special order of the Commandant, all enlisted participants are authorized to salute and return salutes up their chain of NCO temporary command.

We see Gen. Smith arrive with the escort party. The ceremony begins on the Barracks Green with the MC Drum & Bugle Corps that does three selections to set the tone of the ceremony. After which the NCO Adjutant calls on the MC Band to Sound Attention at which point the company commanders of the troops positioned out of sight calls 'em to attn. The Adjutant calls for the Band to Sound Adjutant's Call which is the command to march the troops out onto the field/green.

The Marine Barracks have two companies of Infantry that also do all this happy times ceremonial stuff ha. We remember of course that participation in a service ceremonial guard in DC is voluntary, and that any member of the armed forces who after advanced training is invited to come here to try out and refuses is not shot on the spot. You have to want to do these fun and games so you are welcome there to qualify and to do it.

On Adjutant's Call the Band plays Colonel Bogey March by which the two companies commanded and led by their NCOs march onto the Green. When these Marines go to order arms they always crash their metal covered rifle buts for a loud and bold sound.

There's "fix bayonets" to the beat of the Band which the Marines and Army do although the Old Guard does it to the Fife&Drum Corps. Post the colors to You're A Grand Old Flag and national anthem followed by Stars & Stripes Forever. The Adjutant returns to his post as the MGySGT commander of troops does an easy as pie Seven Count Manual of Arms -- whereas some of these can have 12-24 dreary counts to do ha.

Gen. Smith comes forward to the Band playing the MC General's March salute. Each service has a Generals or Admirals March. Smith transfers the MC NCO Sword of Honor from the outgoing command SGM to the incoming CSGM.

Pass in review: Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful MC Motto) and the Marine Corps Hymn Halls of Montezuma. Lotsa good ol' boy talk the rest of the video.


Selected Comments:

SgtMajor’s of THE Marine Corps, God Bless you. Your nation supports and appreciates your leadership of the men & women of the Corps.

Pomp and ceremony, as it should be. Marines are as good at it as we are at fighting the conflicts we are sent to. Tip of the Spear.

This is really cool to actually get to see the changes of SgtMajor of the Marine Corps. Semper Fi.

My father was a Marine, he is gone now but the pride and love for these guys lives on.

Semper Fi Sergeants.

Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant.
 
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The Pontifical Swiss Guard.


The 135 Pontifical Swiss Guards are trained as Infantry Soldiers to include automatic rifles, hand grenades and handguns, tasers, hand to hand combat, lances, swords and daggers -- a dagger being in the uniform while on duty.

A guard tour of duty is 4 years with only two years active duty given the first two years are learning, training and living as a Catholic in the Guard Community of close knit brethren. A Guard may reenlist by which commitment he becomes eligible to protect the living quarters of the pontiff. It is not unusual that some families produce several generations of guards to the pontiff.

It's definitely off the image of the pope to be hand saluted by a Soldier but that's what the guards do too ha. After all the pontiff is chief of state of the Vatican city state and he does have his own Army self defense force.


The Pontifical Swiss Guard​


980,515 Views





Marcia della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia​

March of the Pontifical Swiss Guard​

With English Lyrics​


214,763 Views Mar 10, 2025


The Swiss Guardsmen began serving the Papal States in the late 14th and 15th centuries. In 1505 the Swiss bishop (later cardinal) Matthäus Schiner, acting on behalf of Pope Julius II, proposed the creation of a permanent Swiss contingent that would operate under the direct control of the pope. On January 22, 1506, the first contingent of 150 Swiss guardsmen, led by Capt. Kaspar von Silenen, arrived at the Vatican.

They soon earned a reputation for self-sacrifice and bravery, as demonstrated during the Sack of Rome in 1527, when all but 42 of the 189 guardsmen died defending Pope Clement VII. The Swiss Guards prepared for similar self-sacrifice during World War II, when the vastly outnumbered guardsmen took up defensive positions as German forces rolled into Rome; Adolf Hitler, however, chose not to attack the Vatican.

The unit was reorganized in 1914 to consist of a career commandant colonel, 5 other ranking officers, 15 lesser officers, a chaplain, and 110 halberdiers. Further reorganisations were made in 1959 and 1976, and in 1979 their number was fixed at 100: a commandant, colonel, 3 other high officers, a chaplain, 23 lesser officers, 2 drummers, and 70 halberdiers.

In 1998, the number of guards was increased to 110, and in 2018 it was raised to 135 in response to a series of terrorist attacks throughout Europe and in anticipation of the jubilee year of 2019. To become a Swiss Guard, a man must be a Swiss citizen, unmarried, Catholic, between 18 and 30 years old, and over 174 cm which is 5' 8".
 
Apparently if you serve in the Vatican's Swiss Guard, you are elibible for Swiss citenzenship:

 
People see the stripes and not the deadly warriors who would die to save to Pontiff.
 
Manc Skipper said:
People see the stripes and not the deadly warriors who would die to save to Pontiff.
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Yes indeed and while I'm hesitant to say the pope's Swiss Guards are a certain kind of Catholic/Christian Crusader, they are Catholic defenders of the faith and fierce defenders of their pontiff. The Swiss Guards are stationary in their place rather than being attackers who engage in expeditions that are far flung as the Medieval Crusaders did in their warrior travels into the Holy Land.

The Guards religious fervor is great and their warrior commitment is fierce as the defenders of the pontiff in his physical domain inside the Vatican walls that are regularly opened to all. The Guards are stationed at all four Vatican gates 24/7/365. Swiss Guards do travel with the pope but on missions of peace and to commune with the faithful and to proselytize.

Right now with the College of Cardinals busy discussing who the next pontiff should be, a lone Swiss Guard Corporal sits in the darkened living quarters of the pontiff and under a reading lamp with his military manual of the Swiss Guards, awaiting the newest Vicar of Christ, as they would have it.
 
Sandhurst is for cadets only.

Sandhurst is the Royal Military College of the UK where cadets are educated, disciplined, trained and developed to become commissioned officers in the British Army Force.

Swiss Guards are at all times regular Army force Soldiers of the Vatical City State whose head of state is the pontiff. Swiss Guards are at all times paid and disciplined as full time and regular Army Soldiers trained as masters of close order combat.

Members of the Swiss Guards are active duty Soldiers at all times during their voluntary military service. Swiss Guards do not have any time as cadets.

This is why I do not engage directly with certain camp followers who depend on the person they follow for their behaviors and direction -- and who still can't ever get it right.
 
As to yet another camp follower and 9/11, the Vatican and the Swiss Guards and indeed all of Rome had their own 9/11 equivalent:

"In the Sacking of Rome in 1527, all but 42 of the 189 guardsmen died defending Pope Clement VII. The Swiss Guards prepared for similar self-sacrifice during World War II, when the vastly outnumbered guardsmen took up defensive positions as German forces rolled into Rome; Adolf Hitler, however, chose not to attack the Vatican."

Neither was 9/11 for only those alive at the time and their survivors.

We remember and commemorate Pearl Harbor Day each December 7th because it is for all time, not for only those alive at the time and their survivors.

Remember The Maine! from the Spanish American War 1898-98 (ha).

Remember The Alamo!

Friday the 13th 1307 was when King Philip IV of France decided the Knights Templar had had their day. Philip's forces overwhelmed the surprised Knights, tortured 'em and burned 'em at the stake. Friday is also the day Christ was crucified. When I was growing up in a nominally Catholic family the pope had decreed Catholics around the world could not eat meat on Fridays as a measure of sacrifice and memorializing certain events of a Friday here and there, now and then.

For many American Catholics btw not eating meat on Fridays went over like a fart in church, Americans being Americans of course. My hellish Fridays meant I the firstborn had to trek to the fish 'n chips restaurant to stand in a long line for takeout and lug big bags back to the house for supper for six. There were times it felt like a last supper indeed. On Good Friday we had to fast the whole 24 hours which sent me fleeing to the Devil himself rather than do all the crazy Catholic nonsense always coming down.

9/11 yeah and for sure. I swear, some posters never tire of being blown up. Which reflects on others too and always btw.
 

 
Fledermaus said:
You and Rich2018 appear to be primary contributors to this thread....

And Rich2018 does it simply to spam his name in this sub forum....
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I miss the old days……..
 
OP.

As such I don't follow after any poster. I set my own course.

I have my own posts that stand originally, independently, with integrity. I have no bent to pursue. That I live rent free in others heads is their doing not mine. I'd rather not of course but I do.....and for years on end with no end. Because camp followers will and do follow.

2
 

Why pay rent when you can squat for free ?
 
Here are two videos of the Swiss Pontifical Guards for each of the two popes who have been in the news these dayze.

The Swiss Guards March into Vatican Square to the Pontifical Band and are joined by the armed forces guards of honour of the Republic of Italy and their band. In the first video it is for Pope Leo XIV and in the second video it is for the now deceased Pope Francis from his election as the Vicar of Christ in 2013.



Vatican Swiss Guards Receive Italian President's Armed Forces Guards of Honour​

March Into Vatican City | New Pope Elected | But Not Known Yet | Vatican National Anthem​

Italian National Anthem | The Population Awaits To Know The New Holy Pontiff​

5,669 Views May 8, 2025



A jubilant mood has overtaken Vatican City following the election of the new pope. The Swiss Guards, in full ceremonial dress, led a traditional parade as crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square to witness the historic moment. The celebrations reflect centuries-old traditions as the newly elected pontiff prepares to address the faithful. Here's a look at the festivities, pageantry, and public reaction.

In this video the young Captain of the Pontifical Swiss Guard detail meets halfway with the young Captain of the Italian armed forces joint guards to receive and welcome the Italian guards to the Vatican. The Swiss Guards band plays the Vatican national anthem and the Italian army band plays the Italian national anthem.

The Swiss guard captain inspects (formally rather than literally) the Italian troops while the Itailian captain reports his unit's strength, number and purpose to the executive officer Lieutenant of the Swiss Guard detail. This is where the video ends.




Watch the Swiss Papal Guard March Into Vatican City in 2013 For The Announcement​

Pope Francis Is The New Holy Pontiff | Swiss Guards Receive The Armed Forces Guards of Honour​

Of The President of The Republic of Italy​

108,120 Views Mar 13, 2013



With white smoke pouring out of the Vatican chimney, people flocked to Vatican City to witness the revealing of the next Pope. The Swiss Guard marched onto the Vatican steps to the playing of celebratory music. The Papal Guard were joined by the armed forces guards of honour of the President of The Republic of Italy.






There's no video that shows Pope Leo XIV emerge onto the balcony without also having his speech making. But this video is the official one that presents the first five minutes of Leo XIV emerging and interacting with the cheering audience in Vatican Square. It's after this that the new Pontiff makes his remarks in Italian.



So and as we know, the new successor to St. Peter is the American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago. He spent one third of his life growing up in America, one third in Peru where he became a naturalized citizen, and one third at the Vatican. I think the College of Cardinals believed they were electing a guy who's somewhat American.
 
Camp Follower.

Who posts after I post.

Creates nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing at all in fact. Just follows my lead. Flattered I'm not however. I'd rather there would be nothing at all of this spoiler mentality.
 
This one's a rouser indeed which is why I offer it for viewing.

I risk sounding like a bad novelist but it was a rainy night in Rome when the white smoke streamed the Vatican's habemus papam. This crowd waiting in the night rain was electric and ecstatic to have a Pope. And through the mercy of God ha there are no idiots in the video narrating anything. American tv for one made Leo XIV being selected sound like it was the Iowa caucuses. This video we get in the raw directly, and it's lively and ebullient.


Habemus Papam | Pope Francis Becomes Holy Pontiff | March 24, 2013​

2,007,908 Views



The video opens with the armed forces honour guards of the president of the Republic of Italy marching out from their staging area inside from the rain, led by their marching band. The waiting crowd is ebullient. First out however is the Papal Swiss Gurd special detail that march into position on the square. We see the Italian president's guards of the Navy, the Army in their red shoulder trim, the Air Force in their blue trim and Italian special military and gendarme units. The band with the Swiss Guards are of the Vatican Gendarme who also protect the pope and everyone in the Vatican and who are trained investigators.

The Swiss Guard detail and Italian state guards are always right there in the Vatican on ready standby for whatever time or days it takes to elect a new pope. They just button up and pick up their stuff and march out when the new pope is announced. The Italian platoons of guards march past the Papal Swiss Guards presenting their honorable salute which the Captain of the Swiss Guards does return in a statement of acceptance into the Vatican City State. The two guard captains meet in between their units at which time the two co-salute in a mutual timing.

The Swiss Guard Captain confirms the Vatican's invitation to the President of Italy that his guard be present at the election of the new Bishop of Rome, in this instance Pope Francis -- every Pope. The Italian guard captain confirms the Presidents command to the guards to attend. The Swiss Guard Captain then pro forma inspects the present military force while the Italian Guard Captain reports to the Lieutenant executive officer of the Swiss Guard special detail to identify the Italian units present, force strength, purpose. At which time each guard captain returns to his command.

First to appear on the balcony is the Vatican prodeacon or whatever -- I forget from very long ago -- to announce "Habemus Papam" as the excited and overjoyed crowd erupts and carries on. Francis emerges to joyous cheers but stands there looking like the Jesuit priest he is, sort of analyzing the assemblage. Francis speaks extemporaneously and freely which in this video is the first I'd seen of his relaxed and inviting manner that puts one at ease for what you're doing. I wish there had been some translation to match the geniality of his manner to the things words he was saying.

Francis led in an Our Father and Hail Mary then did some formal readings. This is quite the video of the whole of it. Although I've been a fully retired Catholic since age 21, I found this thirty minutes well spent.
 
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