For many, Mardi Gras is spent with friends and family enjoying the lively atmosphere of the festival season.  The Brother Martin NJROTC instead dressed in their full military ceremonial gear, grabbed their equipment taking to the parade routes to partake in the celebration as a marching unit. The season started off with a new addition to the schedule, the Krewe of Cleopatra.  This year, they joined the Krewe on the Uptown route in a great position of leading the King’s float.  Two days later they were in Waveland, Mississippi leading the Krewe of Nereids representing the Brothers of the Sacred Heart presence nearby at St. Stanislaus.  The next week, the NJROTC Color Guard led Krewe D’Etat with the Brother Martin Band directly in front of float 1.  The Drill Teams were close behind float 2.  Due to the projected thunderstorms, the NJROTC made the difficult decision to remain out of the Krewe of Thoth on the side of the safety of the Cadets.  The team was ready and disappointed to miss this great daytime parade.

Brother Martin NJROTC’s reputation and presence during the Mardi Gras season helped the Cadets come together as a unit. Many of the Cadets were first time participants. The Armed Drill team carried nine pound rifles, flipping and spinning them throughout the five to six mile parades. The Unarmed Team showed off military precision and timing through complex marching maneuvers and formation drill. The Color Guard, persevering through windy conditions, holding a three by five foot flag or the nine pound rifle on the same shoulder for up to four hours.

The dedication of the Cadets reflect the prestigious position in the front of the parades, but the hard work and physically demanding skills were worth the effort. “Let’s do it again,” one of the Cadets shouted at the end of Krewe D’Etat.  A roar went up from the teams as they celebrated another Mardi Gras season.  “I’m definitely doing this again next year,” said Cadet Cameron Cummings ’21.  Many of the first year Cadets agreed and were excited to be part of the celebration from a different perspective.

The success of the parades could not happen without the dedication of the parents and families that march with us.  A huge thank you goes out to all those that helped out this Mardi Gras season.  We are looking forward to next year already.

Echoing the sentiments of the NJROTC, the Crusader Marching Band dearly loves the prospect of performing for the crowds in a Mardi Gras Parade! Some in the Band joined the organization with the expectation of marching in as many parades as possible.  Thanks to the support of our “army of parents,” the Band had as many resources as they needed in the exhausting hours before, during and after the parades. Our percussions are creatively lit in colorful LED lights, and our welfare is protected with our parent perimeter.  In the weeks before our first parade, the Bandsmen get tested on the music to be performed and actually march around the neighborhood, much to the enjoyment of our Gentilly neighbors!

Highlights of the Crusader Band repertoire include the Brother Martin Fight Song, Big Chief, Uptown Funk, Mardi Gras Mambo, and Do Whatcha Wanna! The Band takes great pride in being one of the only High School Bands in City of New Orleans that perform actual, authentic Mardi Gras music.  The Drum Line keeps the Band in step with a full range of genuine cadences by Mr. Marty Hurley.  The Crusader Band has been a fixture in the Mardi Gras parade scene since the early 1980’s and is mentioned in Arthur Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide! The 2018 Band marched throughout the parades of Excalibur, Carrollton, Krewe d’Etat, and Endymion.  The Band received second Place in Jefferson Parish’s “Rhythm on the Route” Band Contest in the Excalibur Parade.  Due to the weather, the Band decided not to perform in the Endymion Parade, but looks forward to next year!