Post Description

New Year's Day 1962 dawned cold and bleak in Washington, D.C. The sky remained overcast and the temperature hovered just above freezing. As most of the residents slept away the revelries of the night before, in a full block of staid but substantial brick buildings located in the southeast section of the city there was a flurry of activity. For almost 100 years, every New Year's morning the United States Marine Band had staged a well-rehearsed, impromptu concert for the Commandant. Each Commandant had responded, appearing suitably surprised even though he had spent some effort getting dressed in the required formal uniform. At the conclusion of the ritual the band always was invited into the Commandant's House to share with visitors and guests a cup of hot punch. The first of January 1962 was no exception. At exactly 1045, Lieutenant Colonel Albert F. Schoepper, director and a veteran of 18 years service with the band, two assistant directors, the drum major and 78 members assembled on the north side of the parade ground directly in front of the Commandant's House. Fifteen minutes later as the musicians began their serenade with "Fanfare," General David M. Shoup, Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) stepped out the door looking "suitably surprised."