Photo By Sgt. 1st Class David Edge | TORRANCE, Calif. — A combined armed services Honor Guard, representing each branch...... read more read more
Subscribe
TORRANCE, Calif., -- The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment participated in the city of Torrance’s 58th annual Armed Forces Day celebration, May 19-21, 2017. More than 50,000 people came to enjoy the festivities and to support the men and women of the United States armed services.
Every branch of the military was on full display giving the residents of Torrance a unique opportunity to interact with all five of the branches at once.
The celebration started off with static displays from every branch highlighting things that are unique to each service. The Army displayed a variety of tanks to include the M1A1 Abrams and an M2 Bradly Fighting Vehicle compliments of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The Air Force displayed its space program. The Navy displayed MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes and the Marines brought with them an M777 Howitzer. The Air Forces’ Band of the Golden West also performed for all of the attendees.
“The static displays were hectic. We went from having a few people to over 50 people lined up to get on the Abrams tank, but it was fun having the kids crawl around the tank and asking questions,” said Sgt. Luis Roman, a tanker with Gunslinger Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR.
The second day of the celebration started off with a 5K run in which Brig. Gen. Jeffery Broadwater, commanding general, National Training Center and Fort Irwin, led more than 50 Soldiers during the run.
After the run, the weekend’s main attraction was set to begin, where more than 10,000 people lined Torrance Boulevard to see Torrance’s 58 Annual Armed Forces Day Parade.
“I have been coming to this parade for as long as I can remember,” said Steve Brey, a resident of Torrance. “I think the parade and all of the displays are great for the community. This parade helps bring not just our community together, but all of the south bay in support of the U.S. military.”
The last day of the celebration started off just the way the second day ended, with huge lines of people eager to see the displays. Even though the Soldiers were extremely busy, the smiling faces of children wanting to get their pictures taken with “real” Soldiers atop of the tanks, kept them going.
“Coming from Cleveland, we don’t have big events like this to embrace the military, so getting to interact with the community was really nice,” said SSG Hillel Way, a mechanic with Gunslinger Troop. “The city of Torrance really made us feel appreciated. It’s always good hear thank you, but to see the whole community come together for the military was nice morale booster.”
For more information about Torrance’s Armed Forces Day parade go to: https://www.facebook.com/11th-Armored-Cavalry-Regiment-Blackhorse-158715460811763/ or http://www.torranceca.gov/ArmedForcesDay.htm
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2017 19:31 |
| Story ID: | 235512 |
| Location: | TORRANCE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 317 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Torrance's 58th Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration, by SFC David Edge, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT