Mardi Gras 2007 Photos

THE KREWE OF ARGUS GALAXY BALL
Friday evening February 16th, 2007 at the Pontchartrain Center, Kenner, LA. 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM. The National Anthem was performed and their was live music by a well known local Musical Group. A number of local restaurants provided excellent food, and all types of drinks were available (included in the price of admission). The Krewe's activities were presentation of last year's King, Queen and Maids, then formal announcements preceded each member of the 2007 Court, King, Queen and the Maids each dressed in their elaborate and very colorful costumes. A mini parade with several antique automobiles was held, complete with the riders "Throwing Beads" in the tradition of MARDI GRAS. Three Chapter XXX members and their wives attended along with one of this year's Active Duty Special Forces HONOREES, MAJ Scott Whittenburg and his lovely wife Alexa. The MAJOR and his wife were introduced to many ARGUS dignitaries and other members of the Krewe. They both said "we've never seen anything like this before and are truly amazed by it all".

(Click on images to enlarge)

THE KREWE OF ARGUS'S CAPTAIN'S PARTY
Sunday February 18th, 2007 was held at the home of one of the Krewe's Board of Directors and was attended by the Directors, Officers and other special guests. There was live music by a very well know local trio and lots of food and drinks available. The Captain acknowledged the Theme of this year's parade is "BUDDY STALL'S LOUISIANA" and introduced Mr. Buddy Stall, local well known historian on Mardi Gras, the New Orleans area and Louisiana in general. Chapter XXX members Jim Anthony and Bob Moreau together with their wives escorted to the Party MAJ Scott & Alexa Whittenburg.

LAFRENIERE PARK, Metairie, LA on Monday February 19th
The Krewe members who "Ride" load their thousands of throws onto the Floats, unpack them and hang on special Hooks to facilitate the throwing during the parade. The floats arrived at 2:00 PM and the loading began. Early this morning the Argus "Set Up Krewe" to set up a large tent for the food. Grills were prepared and hundreds of Hamburgers and Hot Dogs were cooked to be served along with other food items together with soft drinks and lots of beer. The Argus President Ron Passons does the honors on the grills with the assistance of Chapter XXX members Lloyd Stout and Ernie Mayeaux. The Honorees invited arrived, introduced to the Argus principals and general members, ate lunch then participated in loading and unpacking their throws. CHAPTER XXX SFA, for six years has invited Active Duty Special Forces Soldiers, other Special Operations soldiers and LA National Guardsmen all of whom have served in either of both Iraq or Afghanistan. The cost associated with these Honorees is raised through donations that Chapter XXX obtains. The cost includes the parade fee and all throws, about 3,000 each Honoree.

THIS YEAR'S HONOREES ARE:

US ARMY SPECIAL FORCES:
MAJORS; Scott Whittenburg, Mike Hummel and Mike Harris, CW3 Terry Baltimore and SFC Marc Diggs.
US NAVY SEAL BOAT TEAM;
P5s Dave Taporco and Jordan Budenski
LA NG Veteran of Iraq;
SSG Jimmy Stout

PRE-PARADE ACTIVITIES.
On Tuesday morning February 20th, 2007 at 7:00 AM all the Krewe Riders met at the CLEARVIEW SHOPPING MALL in the Food Court Area to don their multi colored costumes, caps and masks. The Honorees wore their field uniforms (ACUs & Navy wore BDUs) and Chapter XXX members wore their own design Black Shirts with Airborne Wings on the chest & Berets. Their guests wore the same shirts but with Chp XXX Baseball type caps. A buffet was served, the CAPTAIN briefly addressed the members and a trio of musicians played for the enjoyment of all. At 8:30 AM the band led a "Second Line Dance"(a traditional Mardi Gras musicalsong) out of the Mall, across the parking lot to the Floats parked on Veterans Memorial Blvd. The riders boarded their floats and got ready for the parade to roll. The parade rolled out on schedule at 10:00 AM to begin it's Five and one-half mile route which will last Four hours.
THIS YEAR CHAPTER XXX HAD TWO SPECIALLY DESIGNED "THROWS" MADE FOR THIS
PARADE,
1) "MARDI GRAS DOUBLOON" with the face of our Chapter XXX Challenge Coin on the front and the ARGUS symbol on the back.
2) "SPECIAL FORCES DISK" ON A RED NECKLACE, the White Disk with
Blue lettering was the front and back of our Challenge Coin.

THE PARADE ROLLS.
The parade rolled promptly at 10:00 AM and all the Honorees were truly AMAZED AT THE CROWD'S RECEPTION TO THEM ! The public crowds at all Mardi Gras Parades are very enthusiastic and loud. Virtually everyone yells to the riders; "THROW ME SOMETHIN' MISTER" or "HAY! HAY! RIGHT HERE" or "DOUBLOONS" or "PEARLS" or "COME ON MISTER" or "PLEASE THROW ME SOMETHIN' MISTA" (this last one is usually from young children. The crowd is LOUD, but when they SEE THE SOLDIERS (they're at the front of the float) THE NOISE GREATLY INCREASES !! It is not uncommon at this time for; Veterans to Salute them, women to throw Kisses at them, men and young boys say "THANK YOU"..."WE LUV WHAT YOU DO FOR US" and the inevitable from the Elderly Veterans "GIVE EM' HELL BOYS". You must understand there are parades in several locations through-out the metropolitan area on Mardi Gras Day and other nearby cities. This particular Parade in the New Orleans Suburb of METAIRIE, LA is a Family Oriented Parade and the crowds are orderly and well behaved...if any infractions occur they are promptly broken up by the police who haul the trouble makers to jail. NOTE: YOU MAY NOTICE THAT WE DO HAVE MANY PICTURES OF THE CROWDS, THE REASON IS SIMPLE...WE WERE ALL VERY BUSY "TOSSING THE THROWS" AND INTERACTING WITH THE CROWDS.

POST PARADE ACTIVITIES.
When the Parade reaches the end of its route about 2:00 PM, the riders clean up the floor of the float a little then disembark to walk one block to where the "POST PARADE PARTY" is held. (in this metro area and Especially around Mardi Gras we will have a party for ANY Reason or for NO Reason what so ever). The riders avail themselves to hot food, gumbo, sandwiches, soft drinks and beer, relaxing and talking with each other about the parade. The usual question is "DID'JA HAVE A GOUD RIDE?"...or "DID YA SEE THAT BUNCH AT...?" (such and such a location). Some riders have positioned an automobile near this area so they can get back to their other vehicle at the mall. Some catch a ride on two busses chartered for those who need a lift back to the mall. So Now It's Over, except for the wonderful memories ALL the Riders share and talk about for months. This is Especially True For The Honorees And Their Wives, this has been a great experience they will Never Forget. I wonder how many of the men and women of the Krewe who spoke to them say "Ya'll Come Back, Ya Here!"......The only thing left to say is.."I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR".
To have this parade accomplished every year it requires a lot of effort by a number of people. FIRST and foremost is to our HONOREES, this is the purpose why Chapter XXX does this. To recognize them for what they do for the good ole UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. SECOND is to the many contributors whose financial support pays the cost for these Honorees allowing this tribute to happen. THIRD is for those members of Chapter XXX who ride in the parade, paying their own way. FOURTH is to those Chapter XXX members whose efforts are significant in making this such a success. I feel they should be recognized for their "behind the scenes work": Ernie Mayeaux and Lloyd Stout who also are Riders. Mitzi and Jim Anthony for their efforts as Chp XXX Ground Support Krewe. They all deserve credit for making it happen and for being such an outstanding success. We also must acknowledge the many consultations and support received by our Chapter President Steve Grimm and our Vice Pres Tony Riddle.

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