Marine mascot retires, new mascot sworn in

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Mix English bulldogs and Marines and what do you get? A ceremony with music, speechifying and plenty of pomp and circumstance.

So it was recently at the Marine Corps Barracks at 8th and I streets in Washington when one mascot was sent into retirement and another one sworn in. The Marine band (known as the President’s Own) and Drum and Bugle Corps (the Commandant’s own) and the Silent Drill Platoon were there.

Both dogs are named Chesty, a bow to legendary Marine Lt. Gen. Lewis ‘Chesty’ Puller. The retiring Chesty XII, who is 6 years old, was given a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He’ll go to live with two gunnery sergeants.

Chesty XIII, 1, will be on hand for parades, photo ops and other morale boosting events. The new Chesty, like the retiring Chesty, carries the rank of sergeant and has the bark to back it up.

-- Tony Perry