Photo By Airman William Tracy | Parade onlookers display their patriotism during the Colorado Springs Veteran’s Day...... read more read more
Schriever Airmen, from a variety of ranks and squadrons, participated in the annual Colorado Springs Veteran’s Day Parade in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Nov. 4.
The Schriever flight marched as part of the parade’s “Flight of Flags,” soon followed by a truck towing a statue of the 50th Space Wing Opinicus, complete with flashing red eyes.
Airmen, as well as Canadian service members, remained resilient while marching in the formation, braving strong winds, each carrying their own flag.
“Holding the flag was a challenge, but it was rewarding to see the people out there showing their support,” said Airman 1st Class Cory Winston, 50th Communications Squadron client systems technician and first-year parade participant. “I heard it was a good experience, and it was. As we got moving and saw everyone watching, it felt like we were representing something bigger than us - we were representing Schriever.”
Capt. Eshawn Rawlley, 50th Space Wing Judge Advocate’s office chief of military justice, also a first-year participant, said the chance to represent Schriever overshadowed the disagreeable weather.
“It was fun seeing kids running around waving American flags,” he said. “It makes your heart swell knowing the community cares about what we do and holds us in high regard.”
The parade featured a large procession of floats, marchers and bands that made their way down the Colorado Springs streets in tribute to military members, both active duty and retired.
“There were a ton of people out there,” Winston said. “Being out there it definitely made me want to smile.”
According to the parade’s official website, the annual event, which started in 2000, is held to “honor all veterans and to educate and inspire community awareness, while paying tribute to the service and sacrifices all veterans have endured in pursuit of freedom.”
This year’s parade theme was “celebrating military milestones,” highlighting important military anniversaries such as the Air Force’s 70th Birthday, Fort Carson’s 4th Infantry Division’s hundredth year, 75 years of Navy Seabees, 170 years since the battle Chapultepec (the inspiration for the U.S. Marines Corps official “Marines’ Hymn”), 100 years since the U.S. entered World War I and 227 years since the formation of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Past parade themes included last year’s “Women in the Military” (which featured an all-female Schriever Airmen formation participated in), “Pearl Harbor – 70 Years in Remembrance,” and “Veterans – The Unwavering Force.”
Rawlley expressed gratitude to be able to march and help strengthen Schriever’s connection to the local community.
“I would definitely do it again,” Rawlley said. “It’s important to uphold our image. We’re proud to be here, and the community is proud to have us. It’s a good feeling all around.”
To find out more about the Colorado Spring’s Veteran’s Day Parade, go to the official website here.
| Date Taken: | 11.04.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2017 11:07 |
| Story ID: | 255701 |
| Location: | COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 58 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Flags flow, Opinicus stands tall during parade, by Amn William Tracy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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