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    AFL hosts Independence Day celebration

    AFL hosts Independence Day celebration

    Photo By Maj. Amy Rittberger | Armed Forces of Liberia soldiers march in step during a Pass in Review for President...... read more read more

    MONROVIA, LIBERIA

    07.26.2012

    Story by Capt. Amy Rittberger 

    Operation Onward Liberty

    MONROVIA, Liberia – The armed forces of Liberia hosted the 165th Independence Day celebration at Barclay Training Center, July 26.

    Each year the Independence Day parade is hosted in a different part of the country, and this year the AFL was honored to kick off the parade for the capitol city of Monrovia.

    In addition to AFL soldiers and Coast Guardsmen, the Liberian National Police, Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, Liberian Fire Service and other organizations took part in the celebration which included a Pass in Review of all participants.

    To ensure a successful event, lengthy rehearsals started taking place early. The week prior to the event, all participants gathered at Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks to practice for the parade and Pass in Review. The week of the event, rehearsals were held at Barclay Training Center, sometimes lasting more than half the day.

    The day of the event, distinguished visitors and members of Operation Onward Liberty filled the stands at the Barclay Training Center parade field as AFL soldiers and other participants readied themselves for the Pass in Review in front of the most notable guest, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

    After all guests had been seated, the event officially kicked off with the raising of the Liberian flag and playing of the national anthem. Immediately following, President Sirleaf was escorted onto the parade field where she inspected each formation.

    Once the inspection was complete, the AFL marching band led the way through the Pass in Review before participants left Barclay Training Center, where they continued marching through the streets of Monrovia.

    Liberia was the first African republic to declare its independence under its first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, July 26, 1847.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.26.2012
    Date Posted: 08.14.2012 12:29
    Story ID: 93195
    Location: MONROVIA, LR

    Web Views: 135
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN