Fellow Marines, I have been wearing USCM armor since 1999, however, I have not really contributed to AL as much as I'd like. For years now, I have become rather comfortable allowing more motivated members take up the slack and go the extra mile to make us look good and keep the group organized. For this, I am extremely grateful to those who make this possible (and you all know who you are!). Ok, having said that, I wish to try to redeem myself in some way that would help the entire AL. The reason? Call it guilt, duty, or just a new found appreciation for this awesome group.

During the past few years AL has become prominent figure at the DragonCon parade. Every year we are given the honor of leading the parade and this is something I hope we can build on. It takes a lot of work to keep this going, especially the Color Guard. I applaud the efforts of the members who keep this honored tradition alive, and I wish to offer my services. Organizing the Color Guard is difficult, especially if you don’t have what you need. The past con, some unfortunate members were scrambling for Color Guard equipment (poles, flags, etc). I want to prevent this from ever happening again.

Ok, here is my contribution, I have taken the initiative and purchased Color Guard equipment. They are as follows:

1- Nylon US Flag 4x6 (larger than the other flags!)
1- 9ft. pole for US Flag (higher than the others!)
1- White pole sling for US Flag carrier (this will look sharp and help with the weight!)
5- 7ft. poles for other flags. (including acorn pole toppers)
6 sets of pole rings (swivel clips like they should be!)
Several pairs of spare white parade gloves (every member of Color Guard should wear them!)
1- Carry case (This will hold all items above as our official 'Color Guard Kit'.)

If there are no objections, the Color Guard formation with be led by a higher and larger US flag, followed by 5 or more addition flags (USCM & allied countries). Best of all, ALL the poles will match in style and size. Flags will also be mounted to the poles with swivel clips. The Color Guard kit can now be kept in the care of a member who is close to Atlanta and/or drives there. Unfortunately, I fly to D-con every year and can’t travel with the kit. Its rather long and bulky so I call on a volunteer in serve as Quartermaster of the kit. After each parade, the equipment is accounted for and placed back in the carry case, then turned back over to the Quartermaster. Therefore, every year after that, we will NEVER again be caught unprepared. This stuff should last us for many DragonCons to follow.


We have the honor of leading this parade every year. The appearance of our Color Guard should be taken seriously. If anything should look sharp in this entire parade, IT SHOULD BE THIS!


Now, the fine print. I was happy to dig into my own pocket to do this (spending over $260). However, if anyone wishes to help offset the costs, I would gladly accept. I guess PayPal would be best. Any amount would be greatly appreciated (5 or 10 bucks or pounds, whatever you wish to contribute). Mind you, I have made this purchase assuming I would pay for the whole thing myself and have NO PROBLEM with that. Again, I have neglected the AL for years and want to rectify that. So if I receive no payments, I have no hard feelings! Lord knows, you guys have done enough!! (Rex, Kev and Dom to name a few).
Oh, in closing, we still need an eagle topper for the US flag pole. Its for a 1” diameter pole. Perhaps together we can come up with one.
Long live the USCM!

(please see pics)

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Cowards hide behind keyboards



"Even a man that has nothing, can still give his life."

DHS
NYANG, MAJ Ret.

Tony, want to add your paypal address in case people want to contribute?

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General all around pain in the ass and master of the overshare.
"...a geeky kinda dorky kinda nerdy kinda gurl...and I like it!"

UKCM FOREIGN LEGION:
"DEVIANT DRAGOONS"

Awesome Tony.....just goes to show that AL is home to so many and we are indeed a family.
THANK YOU!!

I drive every year so if Derek (the usual guardian of all things D*Con) would rather not hold onto them I'd be happy to transport them back and forth.
If then for whatever reason I cannot make a year we can make plans to have them carried by someone close by.

We need the PayPal address to send you funds bro!!

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my e-mail for PayPal :

triumph4me2@nyc.rr.com

I will, of course, avoid accepting too many donations and keep track of this. I don't want to recieve too much and make a profit! If the number starts to approach 100, I'll give a shout.


Thanks all !!

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Cowards hide behind keyboards



"Even a man that has nothing, can still give his life."

DHS
NYANG, MAJ Ret.

sorta adding to the expanded universe, would anyone know how to make the United Americas flag?

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PFC Mike Rizzuto MVM
USS Blackhawk
3rd Batt 12th Regt

contact a flag maker about it.

http://www.custom-flag-makers.com/
http://www.the-flag-makers.com/customma ... flags.html

the second one offers discounts based on the number you buy. know i want one! group buy anyone?

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the kilted smartgunner

Give me absenth I turn British.

Well done Marine, well done indeed!

We applaud your efforts!!


And...Thank You Very Much!

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USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

What a great thing to do Tony.

Cheer's Steve

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Sgt Steven 'DATA' Pasek
A04/TQ8.0.24476E3
1st Batt. 69th Regiment, Homers Heros..

This is great! Even tho I've never been to D*Con or marched in a parade, thank you so much for doing this.

Now if you could just convince the UKCM to fly a Union Jack/Flag rather than that nasty White Ensign we'll be good to go.

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"You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

Awesome!

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BANNED USER

OMG, what are you waiting for!!?? You better attend in 2012!





(*** hey Steve, thanks bro!!)

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Cowards hide behind keyboards



"Even a man that has nothing, can still give his life."

DHS
NYANG, MAJ Ret.

I've never really understood that move.

Tony, this is an incredible thing you've done, thank-you.

I am out of work for about a month following my surgery, but if you still need donations once I'm working again, I'll certainly contribute.

We use the White Ensign because its the UKCM's ships flag! The marines are part of the navy, and all naval ships, buildings etc will fly the white ensign, as opposed to the Union Jack.

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M/SGT Rich Hyatt-Dowling (Retd)

UKCM Black ops

I'm so glad you said that Rich and not some other reason like it was easier to deface (correct Vexillological term) with the various ships patches! To underline Rich's explanation see picture below of Royal Marines operating a Rigid Raider.

I won't get into the Union Jack/Flag distinction discussion here!

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Cheers

Winch

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow I shall fear no evil for thou art with me. And together we'll kick ANY bugs ASS!"
You know who you are!

I'm saying nothing ...

Hook, line and sinker!

You guys are so easy to wind up!

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"You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

How about in parades? Is an ensign flown of the Union jack?

Homecoming parade for 42 Commando Royal Marines





The Royal Navy do march with the White Ensign though.

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Martin 'Victim' Victory
A86/TQ3.4.49421E3
UKCM 13th Regt. 1st Batt. Freebooters


you can't take the PUNK outa Spunkmeyer

Those are the RM Queen's Colours. We definitely shouldn't be using those.



My thinking on using the Union Jack is that it's instantly recognisable by pretty much everyone. And what Brit doesn't want an excuse to fly an obnoxiously large Union Jack whilst on holiday?

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"You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

Yep, I respect that Vicky, but the point being,as Dom asked, is I don't think the RM march with the White Ensign do they?

Martin

PS I'm in no way trying to say what flag the UKCM should parade with, just a possible answer to Dom,

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Martin 'Victim' Victory
A86/TQ3.4.49421E3
UKCM 13th Regt. 1st Batt. Freebooters


you can't take the PUNK outa Spunkmeyer

I equate the UKCM ensign and the USCM guidon as being the same thing. Just like the US flag being flown in the parade as well as the USCM guidon, I think both the Union Jack and the UKCM ensign should be flown.

OK, I'll just come out and say it. I don't think the White Ensign should be used because it's got the Homer's Heroes patch on it. We're more than just one regiment and I consider it a bit of a put down to the rest of the UKCM. If we start adding all the regimental patches to the Ensign then it's going to look stupid. If we flew a Union Jack then everyone is covered.

The USCM guidon should represent all of the Alien Legacy members, whether they are USCM, UKCM, UACM, whatever. It should be flown front and centre of the honour guard and the various national flags should follow behind to show how varied (and awesome) the AL is.

Of course, your mileage may vary and I am but one lowly sumbag PFC.

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"You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

If the U.S. flag is being flown, so should the Union Jack.

If the USCM flag is being flown, shouldn't the Royal Marine flag? or some sort of a futuristic facsimile? There's a case to be made for the Ensign flag, but do you think that anyone in the crowd would now what is was?

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BANNED USER

quoted for truth. to me, the color guard is more than just the countries who make up the USCM, its about representing the countries that the costuming group represents.

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PFC Mike Rizzuto MVM
USS Blackhawk
3rd Batt 12th Regt

That's what I'd always thought. Most people in Atlanta wouldn't be able to identify a RN Ensign. A Union Jack is an instantly recognizable representation of the UK. Personally, I just feel the UKCM are shorting themselves on equal representation.

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"Screen what? I wouldn't know screen accurate if it were driving a bus and ran me over during the parade."

LCpl. Av "Spectre" Taylor
Long Range Infantry Support