Bulldog Marine Mascot Chesty Retires

After seven years in service as a Marine Corp mascot, English Bulldog ‘Chesty’ is finally retiring.Chesty was named after the most decorated Marine, Chesty Puller, but he isn’t the first bulldog to have carried that honor. This bullie icon is actually the twelfth in line to represent the Marines, and march proudly at their side during the summertime parades.

Each summer thousands of tourists gather together and watch the Marine Corps silent drill perform, perfect images of precision and discipline. Every Friday night in Washington from May 9th through August 29th you can witness the one hour and fifteen minute performance, as well as see Sgt. Chesty XII in person.

The ceremony starts at 8:45 p.m., beginning with a concert by the United States Marine Band. The Evening Parade, held every Friday evening during the summer, has become a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline, and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines.

Pugnacious and stalwart; Chesty has been a loyal mascot for the marines, short of a few bullie ‘accidents’, which included falling asleep when he was expected to be rehearsing with the team.

But Chesty is starting to feel the creak in his joints now, and those few extra pounds are making the uniform fit a bit too tightly. So after an illustrious seven years of service, forty-nine if you count them in dog years, Chesty is getting his retirement ceremony tonight.

The Marine’s are sad to see their comrade go, but rumor has it that a younger dog has already been drafted to take his place.

We’ll miss you Chesty and wish you all the best!

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