GRAND RAPIDS – When Andrew Hatfield enlisted in the Army last year, he fully intended to serve in Iraq or
Afghanistan. Instead, he was asked to become a member of the prestigious Old Guard in Washington, D.C.
In addition to marching at funerals in Arlington Cemetery and arrivals for dignitaries, The Old Guard
provides two entertainments for the public, "Twilight Tattoo" and the patriotic pageant,
"Spirit of America," which has been popular for 30 years.
This month the "Spirit of America" will be shown in only three cities, including Columbus this
weekend at the Nationwide Arena. The four performances are Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., plus
Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The other shows are in Virginia and Rhode Island.
Tickets are free but required for admission. They can still be reserved through Ticketmaster for a
service fee of 75 cents per ticket through www.nationwidearena.com.
Andrew’s parents, Lisa and Jeff Hatfield, ordered 50 tickets for family and friends to see him in the
show. Though the majority have been given away, Lisa Hatfield said people can call to see if she has any
left. Her number is (419) 832-0462.
A 2007 graduate of Otsego High School, Hatfield joined the Army after attending college for a year. He
chose the infantry because it’s "the hardest route to go to kill old habits and help me grow up
faster," plus, "I just wanted to serve my part, too."
"I figured I’d be going (to the Middle East) in the first six months after graduating basic,"
he said. "I wanted to do my time overseas to help out."
But instead, the 20-year-old was asked to join The Old Guard, or the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the
oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army. A limited number of soldiers meets its qualifications,
including background checks, testing and height requirements.
"They told us we’d represent the face of the Army. … We do more ceremonial missions and more
representation of the Army."
A member of Alpha Company, he is stationed at Fort McNair in D.C. "We are the only company that
dresses up in colonial uniforms," he said, noting the group is modeled after George Washington’s
personal guard from the Revolutionary War.
Hatfield is excited about being in the "Spirit of America," performed as both a military review
and a patriotic pageant. Act One includes soldiers in period uniforms re-enacting key moments from the
Revolutionary War, Lewis and Clark, Civil War and World War 2. Act Two has performances by the Army
drill team, band and singers.
A thespian and involved in theater all four years at Otsego, Hatfield auditioned for one of the longer
speaking parts and got it, an airman from WW2 who reflects on its impact and how he changed after he got
out of the war.
"I like it because it’s not what I expected to do in the Army. I get to perform before 1,000s of
people. It’s a really neat experience to get up before all of them and say my part. We get to travel
which is neat, too."
"I’m very proud of him. I think it’s an honor and an opportunity. It’s a unique experience for a
first-time soldier," said Lisa Hatfield.
In the summer performances of "Twilight Tattoo," Hatfield wore an authentic colonial uniform.
He was pleased that friends who were 4-H counselors with him, including Lizzie Latta and Laura Reece,
caught one of the performances when they visited the nation’s capital.
Hatfield is also pleased he was just selected to train in the Arms Room, passing out weapons from past to
present and keeping them in working order.
