 United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps perform at all armed-forces arrival ceremonies for visiting dignitaries and heads of state.
March 12th, 2012
06:04 PM ET
Yankee Doodle is dandied! Washington (CNN) –With all the pomp and circumstance of a royal event, President Obama officially welcomes British Prime Minister David Cameron to the White House Wednesday. But don't expect those fifes and drums to be playing the standard welcome "Yankee Doodle". It seems that's a little too reminiscent of our past relationship with the Brits. Although the United States and Great Britain are today the closest of allies, it was only two hundred plus years ago we brash Americans were fighting for our freedom from the British monarchy. The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps which performs at all armed-forces arrival ceremonies for visiting dignitaries and heads of state at the White House always play "Yankee Doodle." It's a tradition according to one member of the corps. That is except when the visiting dignitaries are from our former enemy nation Great Brittain. A member of the corps told CNN for those occasions they play an alternate piece of music, "British Grenadiers." Checkmate diplomacy! With additional reporting from CNN’s Chandler Friedman |
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Pomp & Circumstance is traditional when the Brits come. Was the fact mentioned that a little more than two hundred some years ago America was fighting them for our freedom?? Was there even any mentioning of them being our enemy once upon a time when any other US President welcomed British officials to the Whitehouse? I don't think so. It is a fact that most studied Americans already know about, but is it even necessary to mention right now? If so, why?? So why would you, CNN dampen the mood of what is suppose to be a visitation and happy occasion for this President?? You go and put a negative drag on this Presidents' welcoming. Why is it that you and other media outlets work so hard to find a way to always 'spin' a web of negativity and a cloudy perception to the masses with pessimism and sour grapes when it comes to Obama and his Presidential privileges and duties?!? You didn't do it when the former President and Mrs Bush received and welcomed Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 2007 or 2008!! You even showed us the room, the preparations, place settings, the type china that was being used for the dinner! No negativity was ever mentioned. However, you did the same type of thing when the President and the First Lady were invited to Buckingham Palace! You had to present them as not knowing the protocol and even berated the gift they brought to the Queen!! Now when former President and Mrs Clinton went to Great Britain and Bill said they went often on invitation, you media propagandists didn't relapse back into the fact that they WERE our enemies, nor did you even mention 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and the Revolutionary War!! Just like with Bush and every other former President, it was just all Pomp & Circumstance and feelings projected through the media of our loyalty to them as they are to us! That's ALL! This may just be me, but I notice this kind of behavior from much of the media anytime it's 'NEWS' concerning ANYTHING that's Barack Obama! It's got to be diminished in some way!! It is so obvious and so uncalled for! It is sad!!