Marines from the Marine Corps Communications-Electronic School salute the American Flag during the playing of national anthem at the Banque Nationale de Paris Paribas Tennis Open’s Salute to Heroes Ceremony in Indian Wells, Calif., March 13, 2015. The Combat Center Color Guard and more than 80 Marines Participated in the ceremony. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Julio McGraw/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Julio McGraw

Combat Center Marines represent Corps, Country

13 Mar 2015 | Lance Cpl. Julio McGraw Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

INDIAN WELLS, Calif -- Combat Center Marines and Color Guard were featured during Banque Nationale de Paris Paribas Open’s Salute to Heroes at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., March 13, 2015.

Sgt. Holly West, instructor, Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School, flipped the coin at the start of the first tennis match. The Combat Center Color Guard presented the colors and more than 80 Marines from MCCES displayed an American flag that spanned the main tennis court.

“I felt honored to hold our nation’s flag,” said Pfc. Brittany Stevens, student, MCCES. “Nothing feels more patriotic than holding the flag in front of essentially the entire world.”

The Salute to Heroes ceremony took place after Serena Williams and Monica Niculescu’s, professional tennis players, match in which Williams was victorious. The match and ceremony were broadcasted on various sports channels.

At the end of the match, Marines were given a free meal at the food stands around the stadium, where many attendees of the open stopped and thanked them for their service.

“Not every Marine gets the chance to represent the Marine Corps like we did,” said Sgt. Taylor Hunt, color sergeant, Combat Center Color Guard. “I think we didn’t just represent the Marine Corps, but we represented the entire nation.”