At the time I was asked to take this trip, I knew nothing about an “international tattoo.” But when I read the itinerary, I thought “this is something I can’t miss!” Then I Googled “international tattoo” to learn more and found that there would be hundreds of performers from around the world presented by the Virginia Arts Festival. Anything pertaining to patriotism gets my attention and this trip proved to be exceptional!

The term "tattoo" derives from the cries of the 17th and 18th-century Dutch innkeepers who, as the fifes and drums of the local regiment signaled a return to quarters, would cry, "Doe den tap toe!" "Turn off the taps!" The sound of "taps" led to an impromptu parade back to barracks. Over time, the words of that cry evolved into the term "tattoo," which now refers to a ceremonial performance of military music by massed bands.

After our first all-day travel day to arrive in Glen Allen, Virginia, the next morning we departed for the short drive to Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Our first stop was a luncheon buffet at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, where we enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch while enjoying our first sample of the “International Tattoo,” a performance by four members of a pipes and drums team from Australia. From here, we went to the Scope Arena where we were to enjoy the main event of this trip, the patriotic concert. We arrived early enough to enjoy part of what they call “the Hullabaloo.” These performances took place outside the arena. One performance was given by the Australian Scotch Perth Pipe Band. Another performance was given by an all-girls band from Ukraine called The Crazy Drummers. During the actual indoors concert, other participants were:

Central Military Band of the Latvian National Armed Forces
Massed Bands and Choirs
Massed Pipes and Drums
United States Fleet Forces Band
United States Marine Corps Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team
The Highland Dance Company of New Zealand
Singapore Armed Forces Central Band and Music and Drama Company
France – Bagad de Lann-Bihoue
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus
USA – US Marine Corps Band, Quantico; US Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon; US Navy Fleet Forces Band
Tribute to the members of the military who leave the family behind. This performance consisted of at least a dozen family units forming a giant circle. As music was playing, each family unit lost a member (by the person walking away), thus leaving the family to carry on without their military person. Very emotional and impressive presentation.

All bands, marchers, flag bearers, singers, dancers, solo artists, Armed Forces Medley, Taps, Amazing Grace (portions of which were sung in several different languages), etc. were exceptional performances. Everything was simply awe-inspiring and totally amazing!

The next day, we toured a Military Aviation Museum. Our group was divided into two and each had a guide who told wonderful stories of the collection of World War II aircraft as we toured the hangers. On the grounds was an authentic, totally disassembled, brought to the US from England, and reassembled air traffic controller building. Our included boxed lunch from Mission BBQ was served in the Navy Hanger, complete with themed WW1 and WWll entertainment provided by a quartet who paid tribute to the USO by singing songs from each decade since the 1940s.

Our evening dinner and entertainment was at the elegant Grand Affairs Virginia Beach, a beautiful events venue. We had a nautical themed Mermaid welcome with a beautiful lady dressed in a Mermaid costume. Everyone enjoyed having a photo taken and she obliged with beautiful smiles and poses. We said goodbye to the Mermaid as the legendary original Rondels began their performance. This was music to which everyone could relate. The dancers were slow to approach the dance floor. There was a couple doing line dances and I kept my eye on them to see if they would do a dance I knew. They did! I joined them for a couple line dances. For slow dances, at least six couples came forward to dance.

Today, we departed to visit the Norfolk Botanical Gardens in Norfolk where our group enjoyed a nice tram ride. Next, we went to Nauticus, The National Maritime Center, to tour the museum and the battleship USS Wisconsin. I walked from one end to the other, climbed down some stairs to reach another level or two, snapped photos of different areas, and spoke to a volunteer who took me deeper inside to show me the “wishing well” where one could look down past at least six more levels. There was also access to the gun turret area where the big cannons were located. I was in awe of the enormity of this vessel and its missions during war. Its one of the largest battleships ever built and was in service during the Korean Conflict and the Gulf War. Next, we visited the Douglas MacArthur Memorial in downtown Norfolk. This concluded our touring of what I consider one of the very best tours Croswell has to offer.

From the Escort Seat of,

Maxine Harris

2023 Croswell's Virginia International Tattoo