Obama Inaugural Parade - 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoXlNUPvKS8

Comments

[mike]

My father's favorite song, even though he was a Tidewater boy and never attended VMI.

[Leila Abu-Saba]

Yes but what is the song, please? I'm sorry I'm so ignorant.

This was really stirring - the uniforms, the crisp precision of the marchers, the sheer numbers.

I like the split screen showing the Obamas attentive and appreciative. Did you notice the many empty chairs behind them? Not everyone of the honored guests felt obliged to stay to watch the proceedings. Good thing the President did.

[Maureen Lang]

Marching to "Oh Shenandoah"- wonderful!

[Watcher]

I had the pleasure of visiting VMI back in 1997 to attend the Marshall Conference as an ROTC Cadet. "Humbled" sums up the feeling as one walks the campus among the VMI Corps of Cadets.

[Twit]

Great choice of music and great choice of instruments.

[mike]

For a better view of the VMI student body marching, one must either go to Lexington - or perhaps watch a 1938 film where they marched as extras. The film co-starred Eddie Albert, Wayne Morris, and our 40th Prez and his future wife. See the movie trailer at:

http://www.tcm.com/video/videoPlayer/?cid=175406&titleId=595

So Colonel, inquiring minds want to know were you as dashing and devil may care as Ronnie and his Hollywood homeboys in your freshman year? Hope your 'hilarious escapades and romantic adventures' did not earn you too many demerits.

[turcopolier]

mike

There is a scene in "Brother Rat" in which several cadets pick up a girl and hand her through a window into the barracks. Three of us re-enacted that. pl

[Fred]

Maureen, thanks for the song title info. Spent a half hour listening to various versions on u-tube. Wonderful song, remarkable to be a marchable piece.

[mike]

Fred - I think there was also an old Jimmy Stewart film called Shenandoah, but probably not filmed there. For a look at the Shenandoah river valley and surrounding Blue Ridge, see youtube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Rh5U2Mf2w&feature=related

Colonel Lang - I am assuming the cadets marching in "Brother Rat" were from the Class of 38, 39, 40, and 41. It makes me wonder how many of those young men served at Bataan, Kasserine, Malmedy et al and if they survived.

[turcopolier]

Mike

"Oh, Shenandoah" is so much a part of cadet life at VMI that it did not occur to me that it might not be recognized. "Balm in Gilead" is another favorite of the Corps. "The Bonnie Blue Flag" another such. What they really want is to play Lincoln's favorite tune, but that is forbidden.

In Virginia, "the Valley" always means the Shenandoah Valley. pl

[Fred]

Mike,

I've seen the Jimmy Stewart movie, a little dated but good. I drove through Lexington right after Christmas, going to do some camping in valley in late June.

Col, I thought I heard one of the military bands playing 'Dixie' at some point during the evening.