Occasional Correspondent Lin sends along a video of the Royal Norwegian Guard performing at a Nordic military tattoo and the rifle handling sequences are simply amazing. Witness:
I never thought I'd say this, but... those dudes give the Marines -- no slouch at rifle drill... a run for their money. Anyone who's ever handled an M-1 Garand would have to agree, I'm sure. Amazing, to say the VERY least.
Would've looked better on a Parade Ground, where it belongs. The setting and the lighting effects made it seem more like Riverdance to me.
ReplyDeleteThose guys deserver better.
Have you ever been to a tattoo, BR? They're quite popular in Europe and the audience numbers in the tens of thousands... AND they are a most appreciative audience, too.
ReplyDeleteWhen Joyce and I were in Edinburg in the late '80s touring around, we read in the newspaper that there would be a military tatoo one afternoon. We went. It's one of our best and clearest memories of that trip. The color of the whole affair was spectacular--all the marchers wore kilts, and those high topped hats--and the bagpipes were wailing. And to top it all off, about 10 minutes into the thing, the military units opened up their formation and we looked up to see precision paratroopers trailing colored smoke gliding down to rest on the green.
ReplyDeleteDan: You bring up a raw memory. I had a chance to go to THE Edinburgh military tattoo in '81 or '82 and passed, claiming work commitments. The REAL reason I didn't go is I didn't want to be in close quarters with my in-laws for ten days. The Second Mrs. Pennington and said in-laws, plus an extra aunt, drove from London to Edinburgh and back for the event (plus some additional touristy stuff). I've regretted my choice ever since. Well, sorta. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHoly crap, with bayonets? Like a co-worker used to say while we were getting new orders from on high, "Lotta ways to fuck up, Rob."
ReplyDeletePeople that have never tried it have no idea what 9.5 pounds means when it's distributed over a rifle that you're tossing around.
I still have nightmares about military school, and that was almost 50 years ago.
EGG-ZACTLY, Rob. I looked at that and went "wow. just WOW." Pretty danged impressive, not to mention life-threatening.
ReplyDeleteWow! So awesome!! Did ya know I was in AF-JROTC when I attended Melbourne High in Florida? I was a member of the rifle team and participated in competitions, but nothing we did was near that good!
ReplyDeleteI did find the American choices of music interesting. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly theme, then the Civil War tune. I figured they would have their own traditional music. But it was beautiful to hear. I love drumlines almost as much as the rifle team.
That was very impressive. I was impressed with the Rockettes and they did not play intruments or twirl guns.
ReplyDeleteJenny: Nope, you never mentioned your JROTC days... but Good On Ya for that!! And yeah... the music raised MY eyebrows, too.
ReplyDeleteLou: Thank ya, Ma'am.