62nd Annual Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration, May 18, 2024 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato)
Modern jets and historic fighter planes flew over Torrance. Tanks, Humvees and other military equipment raced down Torrance Boulevard in front of thousands of spectators.
A group of young men then raised their right hands and took the oath of enlistment.
It was all part of this weekend’s 62nd Annual Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. The parade took place on Saturday afternoon, May 18, Armed Forces Day, and once again featured local dignitaries and military leaders in classic cars adorned with the national flag. Over 40 bands, battalions, chariots and cavalry units also entered.
“This is the biggest event of the year,” Mayor George Chen said after the parade, greeting residents picnicking on the sidewalk. “This is to honor our military and let them know we appreciate their service. We will continue to do this.”
The city of Torrance also uses the parade each year to highlight a branch of the military. This year marks the first time the Space Force has been deployed.
“Space is important, and it’s the same for the average American,” said Emmett Miller, parade announcer and national correspondent for ABC News. She said, “As you know, the capabilities of the universe are woven into the very fabric of modern life.”
The parade’s grand marshal was Lt. Gen. Philip A. Galantis, commander of the Space Systems Command, headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo.
It was exciting to have the Space Force take center stage, said Space Systems Command spokeswoman Michiko Riley.
“Celebrating our fifth anniversary in December and the 70th anniversary of the founding of Englewood’s Western Development Division shows that we have a long history here,” Riley said. .
The Western Development Division was established in Inglewood during the Cold War for the purpose of research and development of weapons systems. The Army’s World War II-era Caltech team in Pasadena is also considered part of Space Force history.
The Honorary Grand Marshal was also a space official, and was held by Col. Michael S. Hopkins, a NASA astronaut who had visited the International Space Station.
“This is the first time I’ve been here in Torrance,” he said, “because Torrance has been here for 62 years honoring those currently serving in the military, honoring those who have served in the past, and inviting people to… I love the fact that I’m inspiring people who will serve in the future. It’s truly a wonderful event. ”
The weekend celebrating Torrance’s military will also include an expo held Friday through Sunday outside the Del Amo Fashion Center and a 5K expo that will precede the parade Saturday morning.
The “5K for Freedom,” which honored war hero and Olympian Louis Zamperini, drew its largest turnout since it began six years ago, according to Donna Duperron, president and CEO of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce. More than 200 military personnel and 976 area residents registered to participate.
Five veterans were recognized at this year’s event, including U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), former Torrance mayors Frank Scott and Pat Furey, Luis Espinal and Capt. Caitlin Robinson.
“The Armed Forces Parade and 5K for Freedom are an opportunity for our community to come together and honor our veterans and service members,” Duperron said. “The unity these two events bring to our community is very special.”
But the highlight of the weekend is the parade.
According to the City of Torrance, the Torrance Procession is the longest running municipal parade honoring the military in the United States and one of the few parades in the country approved by the Department of Defense to honor the military. And Torrance doesn’t just honor active duty military personnel. Saturday’s parade included veterans of the Vietnam War, veterans of the former Republic of Vietnam, an ally of the United States in the conflict, Civil War reenactors and Sons of the American Revolution.
He also paid tribute to those who have not yet formally donned the uniform.
Torrance continued the tradition of hosting a mass enlistment of youth during the annual parade. On Saturday, about 24 people stopped in front of the grandstand. They raised their right hands and took the oath of enlistment, led by Galantis.
“At a time when our country has supported democracy around the world, it is especially fitting to recognize the sacrifices these young men and women are willing to make,” Miller said. “It’s truly a masterpiece of our society.”
No official numbers have been released, but organizers estimated a larger crowd than the 60,000 people who lined last year’s parade route. Ron Salary of the Torrance Police Department.
Among them was Emel Santos and his family. They were visiting his cousin in Redondo Beach and happened upon a military display at the Del Amo Fashion Center, so they decided to return to the parade.
Santos pointed to a woman holding a sign that read, “Because of you, I’m free.” thank you! “His 3-year-old son loved watching the World War II military planes and Coast Guard helicopters flying overhead. The family enjoyed the EZ-Up, Picnic near the Grandstand on Torrance Boulevard. We found a place to set up blankets and lawn chairs. There were also bounce houses lining the front yard.
“I was surprised to see that there were still some World War II veterans. That was a surprise,” Santos said. “I loved seeing the big tanks and the men and women in uniform. I joked that hearing them made me want to stand up straight. But all this meant they were our soldiers. It makes us feel like it’s our country, and it feels good.”
Staff writer Chris Haire contributed to this report.
