Forgotten War remembered and honored

By JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public AffairsJuly 23, 2015

Forgotten War remembered and honored
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Forgotten War remembered and honored
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Forgotten War remembered and honored
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Forgotten War remembered and honored
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WASHINGTON (July 22, 2015) -- Gen. Dennis Via, U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) commanding general, and audience members from across the country honored and remembered the service of Korean War Veterans during the U.S. Army Military District of Washington's Twilight Tattoo, held on Whipple Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.

AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness to ensure dominant land force capability for the U.S. warfighter and the Nation's allies.

The Korean War started in 1950 as a civil war between the northern and southern sections of Korea. The conflict soon escalated however eventually drawing in the U.S. and the Peoples Republic of China. The 38th parallel was eventually demarked as the border between North and South Korea following an armistice signed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the People's Republic of China and the United Nations on July 27, 1953. The 38th parallel still marks the border between the countries today.

More than 70 Korean War Veterans and their families were honored for their service during the Twilight Tattoo performance. Additionally, the 65th anniversary since the start of the Korean War and the 20th anniversary of the Korean War Veterans Memorial were also remembered.

Twilight Tattoo is an hour-long live military pageant that features Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) units -- The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Army Drill Team; Soldier-musicians from the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," The U.S. Army Blues, vocalists from the U.S. Army Band Voices and The U.S. Army Band "Downrange."

With more than 100 Old Guard Soldiers dressed in period Army uniforms, the show provides a fast-paced journey throughout Army history, from the Revolutionary war to the Army's involvement in current military operations.

MDW's Twilight Tattoo can trace its own history back to the years before World War II. At that time, on the grounds of Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., the 3rd Cavalry Regiment held military shows during the winter months. MDW revived the traditional show in 1961 to showcase the talents of its ceremonial units.

As Twilight Tattoo grew in popularity, the Army adapted the show, its location and the time of year it was performed to fit the growing needs of the American people. Settling on performances in Washington, D.C., throughout the summer months, has allowed for thousands of audience members to experience the ceremony and pageantry of the United States Army.

The show runs every Wednesday through August 19 and will be performed on Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall's, Whipple Field.

This performance is free and open to the public. For more information on group reservations, contact the U.S. Army Military District of Washington at (202) 685-2888 or via email at: usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.jfhq-ncr-pao-web-events-omb@mail.mil

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More photos from the July 22 Twilight Tattoo