Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob G. Sisco | 170520-N-ZP059-062 BREMERTON, Wash. (May 20, 2017) – Vice Adm. Nora Tyson,...... read more read more
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BREMERTON, Wash. – More than 25,000 service members, retirees and residents from the Pacific Northwest attended the 69th annual Armed Forces Day Parade, May 20, in Bremerton, Washington.
The parade is the largest and longest-running Armed Forces Day Parade in the nation. The event included all branches of the military, police, firefighters, pageant queens, commercial businesses, and car clubs.
Vice Adm. Nora W. Tyson, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, served as the grand marshal of the event, which was presented by the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce as part of the city's Armed Forces Festival, May 6-20, to pay tribute to veterans past and present.
“The community support here in Bremerton is what you want to see everywhere,” said Tyson. “It is an honor to be the grand marshal to such an amazing parade.”
Sailors assigned to Navy Band Northwest (NBNW) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) also marched in the parade.
Yeoman 2nd Class Demetrius Souza, a Tampa native and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Sailor of the year, said he was grateful to be a part of the Bremerton Armed Forces Day Parade.
“My dad was in the Air Force for 20 years. My grandfather was in the Marines, and my cousin is still currently in the Army. For me, it is an honor to represent a family tradition that I have and to represent everyone that has come before me,” said Souza.
Attendees rendered salutes and a moment of silence during a special part of the parade when a group marched holding photos of fallen heroes.
“On behalf of my brothers who didn’t make it home to keep our nation free, it’s an honor to represent them,” said Burke Waldron, World War II veteran. “It’s great to be alive and be able to put one foot in front of the other.”
Capt. John Fancher, commanding officer of Trident Training Facility and a native of Hammond, Indiana, said he was thrilled to be involved in the parade.
“I was actually surprised that I got asked. I am kind of humbled by that fact that I am a part of it,” said Fancher. It is incredible the support that the community gives to the Armed Forces here. It goes to show just how we as service members appreciate that support; it always feels good to have that visible knowledge of how much you’re appreciated. I am totally blown away at just how big the parade it is.”
The parade was first held in 1948 to honor Medal of Honor recipient John “Bud” Hawk. Hawk entered the service in Bremerton and was awarded a Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman for his heroism during a battle of the Normandy campaign that led to the liberation of France during World War II.
In addition to the parade, Tyson attended an Armed Forces Day gala, a mayor’s reception, met with Submarine Group 9 leadership (SUBGRU 9) aboard Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton and was hosted by the Stennis crew for an all hands call during her visit.
U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.
For more news from Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit https://www.facebook.com/ThirdFleet, or www.navy.mil/local/C3f/.
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2017 22:28 |
| Story ID: | 234612 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 215 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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