QuikTrips: Sunset Parade & Old Ebbitt Grill

Tuesday was the last Sunset Parade at the Marine Corps War Memorial for 2022. As former Marines, Dale and I make it a priority to attend. It was actually our third time to enjoy this motivating Marine Corps performance.

The Sunset Parade features the music of “The Commandant’s Own”, which is the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and precision drill by the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.

The memorial itself was sculpted by Felix de Weldon and was based on Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima’s Mt. Suribachi. Thirty-two foot high figures are shown raising a 60-foot bronze flagpole. The flag flies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by presidential proclamation. Granite for the base came from Sweden. The names and dates of every principal Marine Corps engagement since the founding of the Corps form a gold ring around the base. It is located right next to Arlington National Cemetery.

Here is a video and some photos of the event. You can look forward to a better video from Dale in the near future!

Old Ebbitt Grill

Another activity we always enjoy in DC is eating at the Old Ebbitt Grill. We have had a few memorable meals there. I think Dale found this restaurant during our second trip to DC (AKA “the kidnapping”) and now it has become a place we have to go to. The food is okay but the atmosphere and decor is really interesting. It has an old Victorian feel to it.

According to the restaurant’s website “The Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington’s oldest saloon, was founded in 1856 when, according to legend, innkeeper William E. Ebbitt bought a boarding house. Today, no one can pinpoint the house’s exact location, but it was most likely on the edge of present-day Chinatown.”

Dale had “Steak Frites” which is a NY Strip with fries and I had Chesapeake Bay Blue Catfish with grits and collards. Both were really delish.