JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. (May 28, 2015) -- Soldiers, who put on the Twilight Tattoo, are ambassadors for the Army and instill a sense of pride in all who see the military pageant, the Army's top enlisted adviser said.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey hosted the tattoo here, May 27, in honor of the Soldiers, assigned to the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and U.S. Army Band, who put on the weekly-event.
It is important to recognize the men and women, who help to carry on the traditions of the Army, Dailey told the Soldiers during a reception he hosted in their honor at his residence.
"I want to personally say thank you for what you do every single day," he said.
The Twilight Tattoo is a one-hour military pageant that honors the service and sacrifice of Soldiers, from the nation's founding to modern day. Free and open to the public on Wednesday evenings, the May 27 show saw hundreds of students from throughout the country.
"You don't realize the impact that you have, especially on those young school-age kids," Dailey said. "They will for the rest of their lives, I promise you, remember this day."
Dailey said the patriotism and pride the children feel are a result of the work of The Old Guard Soldiers, who show how the Army has protected and served the American people.
"I'm proud to be your sergeant major," he said. "I'm proud to be in the presence of you every single day."
Drill team member Sgt. Nestor Rossi said a lot of people come to the performance not knowing much about Soldiers or the military in general. It is the job of the Soldiers to provide insight into the Army, he said.
It is great having the opportunity to represent the Army, hear people say "thank you," and interact with the visitors, he said.
"It's one of the biggest honors to know that we were able to represent the Army and be a role model to all these kids out there as well," he said.
Participating in the Twilight Tattoo is a very special experience, said Cpl. Kendra Woollacott, a military police officer. "It's amazing. I love it," she said.
Soldiers demonstrate how honorable it is to be a member of the military, she said. Interacting with school children after the event is special, as well.
"It really hits the heart to see how inspiring you are to them and how much you mean and how much they look up to you," Woollacott said. "It gives you motivation to do what you do every day."
The Twilight Tattoo, which is held each week from April through August, features live action with Old Guard Soldiers and presents snippets of American history through performances by the U.S. Army Band "Pershings Own," the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and the U.S. Army Drill Team.
The event gives noncommissioned officers, or NCOs, an opportunity to showcase their talent and esprit de corps to commissioned officers, military police 1st Sgt. Mark Haliburton said.
"It was truly an honor and privilege to do what we did tonight," Haliburton said.
Fellow military policeman 1st Sgt. James Barrett said it was a proud experience to take part in the tattoo that honored NCOs.
"It's incredible because the NCOs are the movers and shakers of the Army," he said. "It's just a really awesome experience for me and for my Soldiers, who go to participate in it."
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