The United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard
Since 1967 this extraordinary military unit has been stationed aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, representing the United States Marine Corps and the Logistics Base at events and ceremonies throughout the country.
This Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard performs precision color guard movements in numerous types of events. What sets this color guard apart from any other military color guard is the fact that “America’s Heroes” are riding “America’s Living Legends,” wild mustangs captured and adopted from the Bureau of Land Management’s “Adopt a Horse and Burro Program.” In addition, the team only rides Mustangs of Palomino color. The Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard is the only remaining mounted color guard in the Marine Corps today.
I had the honor of working with this wonderful group this last weekend at the 2015 Midwest Wild Mustang Show in Mason City, Iowa. This was the first time since the group’s existence in 1967 that this elite unit has been to the state of Iowa. These Marines travel thousands of miles each year to join parades, sign autographs at different rodeos and present the Nation’s colors. I can say it was an extreme honor, as a veteran myself, to work side by side with this group and be able to introduce them into the arena all three days of their time in the great state of Iowa.
If you would like to keep up with what the United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard is doing throughout the year and see pictures from their journeys you can stay up to date with all the happenings by following them on facebook here! These folks proudly involve themselves in the sport of professional rodeo and know the importance of keeping the western traditions alive while representing the United States and proudly serving as ambassadors of this great country!
I had a chance to sit down and become good friends with all four of them that made the trip to Mason City and found out some very interesting things about the unit itself. I did not know that if you would like them to come to one of your events all you have to do is fill out some paperwork to request their visit and they will take care of the rest to see if your event would fit into their schedule. Believe it or not the only cost that would be incurred to you and your event would be their lodging expenses while supporting your event. Other than that there is absolutely not cost to you or your event/organization. If you would like to have the Mounted Color Guard as part of your next event contact the please contact the team’s leader, Gunnery Sergeant Daniel L. Garcia by e-mail at daniel.garcia1@usmc.mil or by phone at (760) 577-7003, or fax an invitational letter with your event type, date, times to (760) 577-6350 to get the ball rolling and have a very special addition to draw more fans and supporters!
It is quite easy to follow all the breaking news and excitement with the Rodeo Round Up simply by copying this website into your favorites in your web browser for easy one-click access to updated event statistics. You can also like and follow us on facebook here, or by liking and following us on Instagram and/or Twitter at @therodeoroundup. Jason has also made it easy for you to be a part of his interviews by opening up a listener comment line. If you have a question for a certain rodeo star simply call in and leave your name, where you are from, who the question is for and what your question is and he will do his best to get it answered for you during his interviews!
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