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5. Some people just plain don't get it
(this is simply just fun)
Some people just plain don't get it
Samedi Gras, 1987 (the Saturday before Ash Wednesday), Krewe of Endymion assembly area, Orleans Avenue next to City Park.
A joint decision was made between the state governments and localities that a limited Mardi Gras celebration would be allowed. In New Orleans, there would be weekend parades with Rex and Zulu returning to the streets on Fat Tuesday.
The Krewe of Endymion would be the first parade of that season, parading down their traditional Mid-City route. In years past, the lead marching unit was an active duty military band (either the 4th Marine Division or the 5th Mechanized). In 1987, neither were available, so the Jesuit High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC band led. This group of young men had distinguished themselves in defense of one of the early relief trains headed to Oklahoma and Nebraska. As a result, they were allowed to carry their .30 carbines slung across their backs whenever they paraded. This was well known throughout the Gulf states and a particular point of pride to New Orleans.
Of course, this would not go unchallenged by outsiders. The most colorful incident involved Major James F. Burns of Joplin, Missouri, who was part of a Missouri State Guard group performing a liaison mission. Major Burns loudly questioned the cadets about why they were allowed to carry weapons. After he was told why the cadets were under arms and who had authorized them (Gen. Barrow), Major Burns went on to make the fatal statement, "Sure, and the next thing you're going to tell me is that you have a Rabbi as well." The senior NCO instructor told him, "Sir, we certainly do have a Rabbi and an Archbishop as well." Chaplain (COL) Hannan, in civilian life and his other job, Archbishop of New Orleans, and Chaplain (CDR) Blackman, Chief Rabbi at Temple Sinai in New Orleans had come out to the assembly area to greet the participants before the parade got underway. The end result was that Major Burns was put on the next train out of New Orleans and told to stay out of Louisiana and Mississippi, in terms much stronger than described here.