Yuma Marine

Yuma, AZ - The United States Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment filled the field at the Marine Air Corps Station in Yuma wowing crowds with their sequences.

"Getting to put on the uniform and see the smiles on not only veterans but even children who can't even walk and seeing them smile and clapping gets me going," says Sergeant Lauren Schoener with the Drum and Bugle Corps.

The Battle Color Detachment is a ceremonial unit from Washington D.C. made up of the Drum and Bugle Corps, the Silent Drill Platoon and Color Guard. Each year this highly skilled unit travels worldwide to demonstrate the discipline and professionalism of the United States Marines.

Although the performances are seamless, they don't come easy according to Carlton Williams who is a part of the Silent Drill Platoon.

"We practice a lot. Roughly between 8 and 12 hours a day, that's in our school from November to February and during normal days we practice about 3 hours a day," says Williams.

In addition to this event, Marine Aircraft Group 13 celebrated their 70th anniversary.

During this celebration they named a room in honor of Col. Fred Cone who is a Vietnam Veteran and recipient of a Navy Cross Medal.

This medal is the second highest one can be awarded in the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

"I didn't ever think anything like this would ever happen to Fred Cone the Marine. But it did and I feel very honored and humbled that the group commander and the Marines have chosen to name a room after me. I know they had a lot of choices they could have made from and a lot of very important people," say Col. Cone.

Col. Cone worked as a Marine for 30 years and says he enjoyed serving our country.