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The White House Historical Association (WHHA) released a new episode of the 1600 Sessions podcast today, “U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.” In this episode, Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, speaks with SGM J. Mark Reilly, Senior Enlisted Band Leader, and SGM Billy White, Operations Sergeant Major, about the history and global work of the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

Watch the full video interview here.

The White House is a ceremonial stage upon which our nation welcomes the most important visitors, including foreign heads of state. These State Visits often begin with an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is a staple of those ceremonies.

White, now retired, reflected on his time in the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, saying, “When I came to the Old Guard…I found a purpose for Fife and Drum Corps that I didn’t understand existed before. The opportunity to travel the country, to travel abroad and represent our country, has been an honor of a lifetime.”

Reilly felt the same pride in the Old Guard and its impact: “I came from really a small town in New York, and through these drumsticks and dedication and practice and just determination, we can change the world, one child at a time. And that’s where I feel the White House Historical Association’s mission and this partnership have been critical.”

The 1600 Sessions is available on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher.

To hear the full episode, visit The1600sessions.org.

For more information, please contact press@whha.org.

The 1600 Sessions

In this podcast series, White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin interviews luminaries, historians, and eyewitnesses to history about America’s most famous residence and office—the White House. Each episode includes a prominent guest or guests to discuss varying facets of White House history, including insights from former staff and many other topical issues.

P.D.F. Resources

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About the White House Historical Association

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the nonprofit, nonpartisan White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission.

To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org.