This is a report
from Captain, James V. Pepe when we participated in a parade and
living history at Picatnney Arsenal on Thursday, May 13th.
The Picatinney Arsenal
event was held on Thursday, May 13th to celebrate Armed
Forces Day at the Arsenal. It was only open to Arsenal
personnel and those who were invited to march in the
parade. I arrived around 9:00 A.M., found our location and
where to park my wagon. The boys were already set up and
had things well in hand. There were only six soldiers there
from Company A to represent the Regiment. They were Captain
Jim Pepe, Privates Barry Clark, Jack DeMetro, Frosty Lawson,
John St. Peter and Ray Wichowski. The day was sunny and hot
but the boys didn't seem to mind. At about 11:00 A.M. we
formed up and marched to our pre-designated spot for the
parade. Private Lawson left us to perform his "Light of the
World" song for the public. At 12:00 P.M. the parade
started to move only to be halted at the jump off spot.
There we could hear Private Lawson doing his performance for
the arsenal personnel. Our formation was four across, by
height, with me in the lead. At 12:20 P.M. the parade
started and off we marched. As we neared the reviewing
stand Private Lawson fell into line next to me and soon
after, opposite the center of the reviewing stand, I ordered
the squad to halt I then moved to the right of the squad
placing myself perpendicular to the line and gave the orders
to fire a volley. The volley was crisp and the boys
followed each command with precision. Once the squad was
placed at shoulder arms and right shoulder shift I moved
back to the lead position and ordered "Forward March" which
was conducted with the bugle. As we moved forward the crowd
broke into applause and I then gave a sword salute to the
reviewing stand. Once back at our site we gave a
demonstration of skirmish drill with verbal commands and
with the bugle. Upon conclusion the squad was put at rest
to eat and to check out the U.S. Army equipment on hand. We
departed the arsenal between 3:00 and 3:30 P.M. The boys on
this day did the Company and Regiment proud. Next
year Armed Forces Day at the arsenal may be held on a
Saturday and open to the public once again.
Captain, James V. Pepe
Commanding
Company A, 3rd Regiment, NJVI