Soldiers and Flags

These photos I took at the 2017 Torrance Armed Forces Day parade.

I haven’t been to too many such parades so far, but there’s nothing so encouraging to the patriotic spirit (except maybe a fireworks show) as one of these!

The first few photos show a swearing-in of hundreds of Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard cadets.

US Marines

US Air Force
US Navy
Civil Air Patrol
These next few tanks and trucks are ones really used by the military today. The announcer mentioned, “If you’re in one of these, you WILL survive, no matter what’s going on around you!”
ROTC groups

With dress swords!

Coast Guard boats
These kids are from St. Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim, CA, and are the youngest to be associated with the military.
There were even a few historical reenactors! Revolutionary War here.
A few Civil War reenactors.

Some pieces were on display for a closer look!

Looking up through a big gun from inside the truck!

God bless our native land!
Firm may she ever stand,
Through storm and night;
When the wild tempests rave,
Ruler of wind and wave,
Do Thou our country save
By Thy great might.

For her our prayers shall rise
To God, above the skies;
On Him we wait;
Thou Who art ever nigh,
Guarding with watchful eye,
To Thee aloud we cry,
God save the State.

-“God Bless Our Native Land”