It's been said that men have lately spent more and
more time thinking about ancient Rome. This weekend at the Hyatt Regency, it's
gone far beyond just thinking.
In its 11th year of parading, the Legion of Mars has
pulled out all the stops to prepare for its grand annual Mardi Gras War. A
krewe specially founded to pay respect to military service members and first
responders, the Legion has quickly become one of the fastest-growing parading
krewes in New Orleans Carnival. As for its recent masquerade ball ahead of its
February parade route, it makes sense that first responders would themselves be
among the earliest celebrants of Carnival. On a mid-January weekend with few
parades but plenty of pre-rolling ceremony amongst the various krewes, the
Legion of Mars assembled for its annual ball celebration in advance of its
February parade in the heart of downtown New Orleans.
Krewe members are known to come from not just Southern
Louisiana but the entire United States, spanning from Washington State to
Washington D.C., with annual military revelers dutifully reporting from as far
as Minnesota each and every year. Servicemen and veterans of each branch of the
Armed Forces were represented in ranks ranging from high school R.O.T.C. to
top-brass Army generals, adorned in everything ranging from standard tuxedos to
uniforms decorated with the Legion of Honor and the Purple Heart, the latter
of which took prominence in the form of a larger-than-life plaster set piece
beside the stage. Many officers in attendance owed their connection to the New
Orleans community to its proximity with the Belle Chasse Joint Reserve Base, and
this weekend, their presence was made well-appreciated through New Orleans'
spirit of the season.
The past year has been one of especially noteworthy
growth for Mars as estimates from krewe captain Rico Alvendia have the total
membership of the Legion doubling in the past year. Captain Alvendia was happy
to discuss the Legion's theming in light of its philanthropic and social
mission, citing the Legion's charter with the city to run as its own individual
parade: "We were so happy that the city council and the mayor all agreed to
help us out and recognized our cause. This parade is for the folks who risk
their lives to protect their country, their families, and all of our families
every day. Without them, Mardi Gras wouldn't be able to happen."
As far as the Legion's ball goes, it's a
standard-bearer for the customs and traditions befitting of a major Mardi Gras
krewe. Of particular sentimental importance to the Legion is its annual "Mardi
Grog," a special alcoholic brew made from symbolic ingredients representing
each of the services of the military (including the Space Force!) and intended
to provide good health and humor across the Carnival season. "It might not
taste the best, but it gets the spirit of the krewe across," laughed 2024
Legion of Mars Queen Grace Babit, a current second-year student at Loyola Law
School.
Once the evening's guests had settled into the Hyatt's
main ballroom overlooking the night traffic of Loyola Avenue, a fully-outfitted
Marine Corps band arrived to greet the guests with both the themes of each
branch of the military, along with several New Orleans jazz standards. The
spirit of the new season was encapsulated in the presentation of the new king
of the krewe, known collectively as Primus XI for each of the parade's
iteration, named after the peerless 1st century general of the Roman Imperial
Army. The ball's presentations continued through the full presentation of the
court and the gifting of Mars' ceremonial sword, glistening and reflecting off
of the ballroom spotlights. As the evening moved towards its final musical
celebrations, there was no doubt that the Legion's upcoming Mardi Gras War was
ready to be won.
The Legion of Mars parade rolls through Uptown New
Orleans on February 3 between the parades of Pontchartrain and Choctaw,
beginning on Tchoupitoulas Street, rolling through St. Charles Avenue, and
ending on Poydras Street. For more information on the parade, as well as their
year-round events and philanthropy, visit the Legion of Mars' webpage.
