After the outside concert, the band was invited to play the Star Spangled Banner in Center field with a joint Active Duty and Auxiliary Color Guard in front of them. Band Flotilla Commander Sasso stated, “It was a proud moment as the band lined up at the left field gate preparing to march in with the stadium aglow. Looking up, we could see a recording of our plaza performance playing on the jumbotron inside the stadium from minutes before. We never had such exposure for the Auxiliary.”
Team Coast Guard members in the stands saluted with pride as the National Anthem was played. Auxiliarists had traveled from throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to attend the special celebration and fellowship event. And most will agree with Commodore Pica when he stated that the Mets spirit award night was “without a doubt the largest gathering of our District’s Auxiliary family in anyone’s memory and certainly the most fun!”
Article originally published in the USCG Auxiliary National Live Blog.
A joint auxiliary and active duty color guard presented the colors as the Auxiliary band played the Star Spangled Banner. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Public Affairs Specialist 3rd Class Ali Flockerzi.
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