Panetta honored at Twilight Tattoo

By Sgt. Jennifer C. Johnson, JFHQ-NCR/MDWAugust 10, 2012

Panetta honored at Twilight Tattoo
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Panetta honored at Twilight Tattoo
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) pay honor to Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and co-hosts Secretary of the Army John McHugh, and Chief of the Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno during Twilight Tattoo on Whipple field, J... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Panetta honored at Twilight Tattoo
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Panetta honored at Twilight Tattoo
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JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. (Aug. 8, 2012) -- Hundreds flocked to see the performance from Soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" perform in "Twilight Tattoo" on Whipple Field, Joint Base Myer- Henderson Hall Aug. 8.

Co-hosting the "Twilight Tattoo" was Secretary of the Army John McHugh, and Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta was honored during the event.

"We are on this field this evening to pay tribute to and thanks to a truly outstanding public servant," said McHugh, "a great friend of the Army and the 23rd Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta."

Twilight Tattoo is free and open to the public. The performance is scheduled for every Wednesday night for the remainder of August. With only three shows left, plan on enjoying the cadences of The Old Guard and the refrains of "Pershing's Own" before it's too late!

The modern-day call is known as "Tattoo" and during basic training the call signals the time to quiet down and hit the bunks.

Within the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, the call serves as a tribute dedicated to the vitality of the nation and to the sacrifices of those who forged America into the land of the free and the home of the brave.

It is for America's forefathers and fellow Americans that MDW proudly presents Twilight Tattoo.

The MDW Twilight Tattoo can trace its own history back to the years before World War II.

Then, 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 the nation's capital throughout the summer months, has allowed thousands of audience members to experience the ceremony and pageantry of the United States Army.

Check the U.S. Army Military District of Washington's Twilight Tattoo website for schedule details at http://twilight.mdw.army.mil/

Related Links:

Twilight Tattoos Schedule

Joint Force Headquarters - Nation Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington

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