The Washington Mardi Gras King’s Mission: Help veterans, and those still serving.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, whose wife is an Army general, said Washington Mardi Gras hadn’t specifically honored veterans and the military in its 76 previous celebrations.

Well, the king chooses the theme of Washington Mardi Gras each year. And Carter, a New Orleans Democrat, chose the king.

He tapped New Orleans attorney Rico Alvendia, who is a decorated Iraq War veteran and captain of the Legion of Mars, a carnival krewe whose membership is active duty and veteran military, police, firefighters and other first responders.

Washington Mardi Gras is an annual gathering that allows business executives, charity leaders and local elected officials to casually mingle with the state’s congressional members in what amounts to a private retreat at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Though many invitation-only events are thrown by private organizations that piggyback on the gathering, Washington Mardi Gras officially began Thursday.

This year’s opening was not quite as crowded, as many were unable to travel because of the snowstorm in south Louisiana. But by Friday most everyone had arrived and the affair had the feel of opening day – combined with one of the highlight events, the economic development luncheon, which includes briefings on legislative wins and updates on various business projects in Louisiana.

Washington Mardi Gras was set to culminate Saturday night with the members-only ball, where King Alvendia and Queen Kendall Williams were to be presented.

The affair, paid for by dues and tickets, is touted as a way to ease communications between decision makers that help fast-track projects. It also raises money for charity.

“And as king, I get to choose the charity;’ Alvendia said.

Last year, the Boys and Girls Club of Louisiana received a $182,425 donation.

This year, Alvendia chose the Mars Hero Fund, which provides support for veterans and active-duty families in need. Raising money for the nonprofit charity is really the primary purpose of the Legion of Mars krewe.

“The Mars Hero Fund has supported thousands of veterans and military families over the last 12 years during their times of financial crisis and while deployed locally or overseas in service to our nation;’ Alvendia said.

He added that, beyond just the money, Washington Mardi Gras provides a unique way to spread word of their work among Louisiana’s movers and shakers.

“We can use this as a platform to honor the military;’ he said.

Legion of Mars also is an avenue for veterans and military members to socialize and have fun, said member Fred Burmaster, who fought in the Vietnam War as a lance corporal in the Marines. He reconnected after 46 years with a wartime friend and joined the krewe, which was founded in 2013 by a group of combat veterans.

The krewe holds golf tournaments and barbecues, puts flags on veteran graves for Memorial Day, volunteers at the Veteran Affairs facilities and supports other organizations.

They also have been parading for more than a decade. This year’s parade will be on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans on Feb. 22. The parade starts with the Marine Corps band and includes floats for each service unit, as well as marching bands and a flyover.

The krewe pays for spots on floats for wounded veterans and others who otherwise wouldn’t get a chance to experience throwing beads and doubloons to a parade crowd.

Holding court

Alvendia held court in one of the hospitality suites along a hall overlooking a garden at the hotel. These suites are sponsored by corporations, charities, trade association, politicians and their fundraising arms. It’s where most of the action takes place between the various events.

Revelers stroll down the hall, stopping at this suite, then that one. The drinks are free – it’s hard to get anything nonalcoholic – and food is always available.

The offerings in Alvendia’s suite included bite-sized Chicken Cordon Bleu, and cheesy pastries with a squirt of French onion soup.

He stood with visitors for photos and handed out “challenge coins” bearing his royal insignia. Traditionally, military unit commanders gave out these coins to prove membership in the unit.

Saturday’s action took place mostly around the hospitality suites, interrupted with various toasts to the Mardi Gras royalty and their courts, which seemed to include queens from nearly every festival in Louisiana.

All of which was a prelude to the ball.

The ball is open only to krewe members who wore masks and traditional costumes.

The room is large, with seating around an oval-shaped floor. Members of the krewe, including congresspersons, floats and marching bands circulate, tossing beads.

After the parade, dancing begins in front of the stage.

The krewe has a tradition, the callout dance, in which women members ask five men to dance and the men ask five women. Upon the completion of the callout dance, a gift – bracelets, earrings, etc. – is given.

Before and after the ball, various companies, local associations and governments held their own events. For instance, The Jefferson Parish Chamber hosted a champagne cocktail party prior to the ball. Afterward, the krewe’s lieutenants threw an “encore” party.

Sunday is when everyone heads home, though a few organizations will host breakfasts.

Burmaster, who hasn’t been to Washington before, plans to make a trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which lists on walls those killed in the war.

“There are friends on that wall who I want to see again;’ he said.

Note: Article courtesy of Nola.com By Mark Ballard, Staff Writer January 25, 2025. Photo Provided. Full digital access to article is available via Nola online subscription.