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Citadel News Service

Office of Public Affairs

FOR RELEASE
April 2, 1999

Massing of The Colors at The Citadel

          More than 25 color guard groups from across the Lowcountry will gather together at The Citadel's Summerall Chapel in a Massing of the Colors presented by the General Westmoreland chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) and The Citadel at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 18. The public is invited to attend.

          The Massing of the Colors is a patriotic ceremony dedicated to those who gave their lives to preserve liberty and honor in the United States and to those who have served and who are continuing to serve to ensure its freedom. The first Massing of the Colors ceremony was conducted in 1922 on Armistice Day at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City. Initiated by the Society of the Massing of the Colors, MOWW took over the direction of the ceremony in 1950.

          The ceremony is held to pledge faith in the colors of the United States and to ask God's blessing on the colors as well as on the men and women who selflessly serve this country. The ceremony will begin with the procession of colors by local color guard groups, including The Citadel Chapel Color Guard and the Washington Light Infantry. The Citadel Band and Bagpipers will perform and former Citadel President Major General James A. Grimsely, USA (Ret.) will speak.

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