Photo By Staff Sgt. Jaime Avila | U.S. Army recruits participate in a mass oath of enlistment ceremony at the 54th...... read more read more
TORRANCE, Calif. – “I do solemnly swear, that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same…”
The oath of enlistment has been a part of military history since the inception of the armed forces in the U.S., and it’s a ceremony that every individual participates in, prior to entering the service.
The ceremony is also generally reserved for recruits joining the military and their families, but May 18, 2013, residents of Torrance had the opportunity to witness history in the making, as more than 300 recruits took the oath of enlistment during the 54th annual Armed Forces Day parade. Retired Maj. Gen. Melvin G. Spiese, who served as the grand marshal for the parade, administered the oath to the new recruits.
“Every year at the Armed Forces Day [parade] in Torrance, the grand marshal has the opportunity to enlist a bunch of new recruits. This year was the largest they’ve ever had. We just brought over 300 more on board. Today is a great day for the lifeblood of the service,” said Spiese.
Of the more than 300 recruits joining the military, the U.S. Army had more than 200 recruits or “future soldiers” participating in the ceremony. While each had their personal reasons for joining the military some had particularly special feelings for what they were doing that day.
“Growing up, my brother and I would always read about Navy SEALS and Army Green Berets, and it would always inspire me to want to join the military,” said Jason Barajas, an 18-year-old future soldier who participated in the Torrance Armed Forces Day parade and a native of Huntington Park, Calif.
“I felt honored and proud… It will be a great memory for me,” said Barajas.
Along with the oath of enlistment ceremony, the future soldiers also had an opportunity to participate in many team-building activities in the Torrance community. Torrance residents could literally walk-out to their front porches and watch the activities, and even participate if they desired.
“It brings the soldiers, the future soldiers and the community together,” said Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Richard Lopez, the command sergeant major for the Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion.
“It makes the community aware of what the Army does for them. This is their Army; this is the nation’s army,” said Lopez. “It’s good for the community to see who their soldiers are and it’s good for the soldiers, and the future soldiers to see the appreciation the community has for them and what they do on a daily basis.”
Events such as the oath of enlistment during the Torrance Armed Forces Day parade provide the community with an exclusive opportunity to see a side of the military that they previously may not have known to exist.
“This is vital for them. They become witnesses and observers to individuals taking a huge step in their lives,” said Spiese. “For me it was a real privilege to be at this particular milestone in their lives with the oath of enlistment,” he added.
The oath was the largest the Torrance Armed Forces Day parade has hosted in its historic 54-year-run. Although a son or daughter joining the military may not always be an easy reality for a parent to accept, Barajas’ mother is proud of her son’s decision.
“I am proud of my son, but I am also a little sad and afraid that he is going to leave me,” said Maria Valdivia, mother of Barajas. “I know he’s tough and will reach his goal, even though I know it will be hard.”
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2013 22:16 |
| Story ID: | 107287 |
| Location: | TORRANCE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | HUNTINGTON PARK, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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