Torrance Armed Forces Day Saturday May 19st, 2012: 2012

Friday, March 23, 2012

Torrance Armed Day 2012

MAY 18-20, 2012

Our nation's men and women of the military forces have defended our country, insured our freedom, and upheld the beliefs and principles that this great nation was built on. In May 2012, the City of Torrance continued its long-standing tradition and marked the 53rd consecutive year it has been hosting an Armed Forces Day Celebration and Parade to honor the sacrifices of our nation's military.

This year, the City will once again honor the men and women of our nation's military with a three-day celebration that began on Friday, May 18, and continued through Sunday, May 20. The Parade highlight was on Saturday, May 19, and this year's honored branch is the United States Air Force. The City of Torrance is proud to help honor and thank the men and women of our nation's Armed Forces!

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Xướng Danh Quân Lực Việt Nam Cộng Hòa

" The Color Guard of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Veterans Association represents all Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces (Navy, Air Forces, Ranger, Airborne, Marines, Special Forces, Army) participating in the Vietnam War.
More than 350,000 Republic of Vietnam soldiers sacrificed their lives together with 58,256 U.S. soldiers and over 6000 soldiers of allied forces in the Vietnam War.
And thousands soldiers missing in action are still unaccounted for. The Color Guard represents and honors all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom .
The Group have participated in many of the parades and community services to help their Veterans"

History

ARMED FORCES DAY

The City of Torrance is one of the few cities in the nation designated by the U.S. Department of Defense to host an Armed Forces Day celebration with the Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade as a highlight. The Parade has the distinction of being the nation's longest running military parade sponsored by any city.

Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22, 2011 will mark the 52nd Annual City of Torrance Armed Forces Day Celebration. The weekend is a proud tradition within the community wherein Torrance citizens celebrate the legacy and sacrifices of the United States Armed Forces.

This rich tradition began in 1960; Mayor Al Isen, with the help of the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, organized the first parade as a tribute to friends and fellow Americans who had served in the Armed Forces. The parade has grown over the years to become one of America's most eagerly awaited demonstrations of patriotism. The Armed Forces Day Parade has drawn up to 100,000 spectators a year to watch as many as 8,000 parade participants march along the parade route from downtown Torrance to City Hall.

In its early history, the celebration began on a Friday evening with a display of military exhibits coupled with a large fireworks show behind City Hall. On Saturday, a daylong display of military hardware and parade floats, all open for public viewing, follows the parade, which has a history of recognizing military war heroes, such as U.S. General Omar Bradley. A Five Star General of the Army, Omar N. Bradley served as the Honorary Grand Marshal in 1969, and was, at the time, the highest-ranking serviceman in the nation. General Bradley commanded the largest American military force ever to serve under one field commander; a force of more than 1,300,000 troops, during the European campaign in World War II.

The Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade is led by a prologue, which includes the Torrance Mounted Posse. Following the Mounted Posse, the Honorary Grand Marshal travels the parade route in his marked vehicle then takes his place in front of the reviewing stand as the Official Reviewing Officer for the parade.

The remainder of the prologue consists of senior commanders of major military installations, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, State-elected officials, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Torrance and other city and county officials. Community leaders from the Torrance Chamber of Commerce and Torrance Jaycees and local high school marching bands complete the prologue section.

Following the prologue in the march are several Divisions, comprised mostly of military color guards, military marching bands, high school marching bands, uniformed troops, military drill teams, units from the National Guard, ROTC and military reserve, military vehicles such as tanks and armored personnel carriers, aerospace satellites and exhibits. When weather permits, military aircraft conduct flyovers of the parade route.

For over 50 years, the City of Torrance has faithfully supported the Armed Forces Day Parade despite periodic anti-war sentiments and economic hard times. In 1979, the parade was almost cancelled due to lack of funds brought about by the passage of Proposition 13 in California. However, the public outcry over canceling the event brought the community together and revived the parade, with the assistance of the Torrance Exchange Club. The Torrance Exchange Club raised funds from the community to allow the celebration to continue. In 2011, this Southern California tradition will be enjoyed once again by the community.

Many of the spectators who first viewed the parade as children in the 1960s and 1970s now bring their own children and grandchildren to the weekend's events. This experience helps instill a respect for country and demonstrates appreciation for the sacrifices the men and women of the armed forces have made to secure our freedoms.

MAY 20-22, 2011

Our nation's men and women of the military forces have defended our country, insured our freedom, and upheld the beliefs and principles that this great nation was built on. In May 2011, the City of Torrance continues its long-standing tradition and marks the 52nd consecutive year it has been hosting an Armed Forces Day Celebration and Parade to honor the sacrifices of our nation's past and present military.

This year, the City once again honors the men and women of our nation's military with a three-day celebration that begins on Friday, May 20, and continues through Sunday, May 22. The Parade highlight is on Saturday, May 21, and this year's honored branch is the United States Army. The City of Torrance is proud to help honor and thank the men and women of our nation's Armed Forces!

Dates, Times & Activities

For the 52nd Annual Armed Forces Day, the following events will occur in the City during the weekend of May 20-22, 2011:

FRIDAY, MAY 20

EXHIBITS: Military exhibits on display, including aircrafts, vehicles, and support equipment

10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Our observance begins on Friday, May 20, 2010 with the opening of the military exhibits at the Del Amo Fashion Center. The outdoor exhibits will be in the lower lot to the rear (west of) the parking structure of the Lifestyle Wing. The exhibits will continue through the weekend until Sunday, May 22, at 3:00 p.m.

CONCERT: The United States Coast Guard Band will perform for free on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive.

SATURDAY, MAY 21

PARADE: This year's parade will continue the tradition in Torrance of honoring the men and women of our Armed Forces

1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

The 52nd Annual Armed Forces Day Parade will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2011. at 1:30 p.m. The parade route begins at Crenshaw Boulevard traveling west on Torrance Boulevard and ending at Madrona Avenue. All streets intersecting the parade route will be closed the majority of the day. Torrance's parade is the longest-running Armed Forces Day Parade in the nation. As one of few cities designated by the Department of Defense, the City of Torrance is proud to honor the men and women of our nation's Armed Forces.

EXHIBITS: Military exhibits on display, including aircrafts, vehicles, and support equipment

10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The outdoor military exhibits at the Del Amo Fashion Center will continue in the parking lot west of the Lifestyle Wing parking structure.

SUNDAY, MAY 22

EXHIBITS: Military exhibits on display, including aircrafts, vehicles, and support equipment

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The outdoor military exhibits at the Del Amo Fashion Center will continue in the parking lot west of the Lifestyle Wing parking structure. The exhibits will end on Sunday, May 22, at 3:00 p.m.

Traffic Information

ROAD / STREET CLOSURES AND TIMES:

0700 Hours - Arlington Ave between Marcelina Ave. and Post Ave., El Prado Ave between Carson St. and Cravens Ave. and Cravens Ave. between Torrance Blvd and Marcelina Ave. (Military and Dependant BBQ held at El Prado Park from 1000-1200).

0900 Hours - all entry way into Civic Center complex off Torrance BLvd., Madrona Ave., Maple Ave. and Civic Center Drive.

1000 Hours - Fashion Way between Madrona and the four way stop on the west side of the Marriott Hotel.

1100 Hours - Torrance Blvd. between Western and Crenshaw Blvd (including all North and South side streets between Van Ness and Crenshaw).
Maricopa Street between Crenshaw and Maple Ave.

1200 Hours - Torrance Blvd. between Crenshaw Blvd and Madrona Ave. (including all North and South side streets between Crenshaw and Madrona). S/B Madrona Ave. / Prairie Ave. between 190th St and Carson St. N/B Madrona Ave. between Carson St. and Emerald Ave.

BUS ROUTE DETOURS

Saturday, May 21, 2011, 11:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

BUSES WILL SERVICE ALL BUS STOPS WHILE ON DETOURS.

Line #1
NORTHBOUND: Regular route to Carson St. (C) Carson St. to Normandie Ave.
SOUTHBOUND: Regular route to Carson St. and Normandie Ave. (C) Carson St. (L) Madrona.

Line #2
NORTHBOUND: Left on Carson St. (R) on Hawthorne Blvd. (L) on Torrance Blvd. Regular route.
SOUTHBOUND: Regular route to Torrance Blvd. and Hawthorne (R) on Hawthorne Blvd. Continue Hawthorne to Carson St. (L) On Carson St. (R) Madrona regular route to Layover.

Line #5
CLOCKWISE: Crenshaw Blvd. & Van Ness Ave.
SOUTHBOUND: on Van Ness (McDonalds Side). Regular route to Del Amo Blvd. (L) Del Amo Blvd. (R) Western Ave. (R) Carson St. (L) Arlington Ave.
NORTHBOUND: on Crenshaw, Regular route to Carson St. (R) Carson St. (L) Western Ave. (L) Del Amo Blvd. (R) Crenshaw Blvd.

COUNTER - CLOCKWISE: Crenshaw Blvd. & Van Ness Ave.
SOUTHBOUND: on Crenshaw (College Side). Regular route to Del Amo Blvd. (L) Del Amo Blvd. (R) Western Ave. (R) Carson St. (L) Crenshaw Blvd.
NORTHBOUND: on Van Ness. Regular route to Carson St. (R) Carson St. (L) Western Ave. (L) Del Amo Blvd. (R) Crenshaw Blvd.

Line #7
EASTBOUND: Regular route to Sepulveda Blvd. and Hawthorne Blvd. (L) Hawthorne Blvd. (R) Carson St. (R) Madrona Ave.
WESTBOUND: Regular route to Sepulveda Blvd. and Madrona Ave. (L) Carson St. (L) Hawthorne Blvd.

Line #8
NORTHBOUND: Regular route to Hawthorne Blvd. & Fashion Way (C) Hawthorne Blvd.
SOUTHBOUND: Regular route to Hawthorne Blvd. & Fashion Way (C) Hawthorne Blvd.

CONCERT LOCATION AND TIMES:

There are TWO (2) concerts performed by the United States Army Band. They will be performing at the James Armstrong Theater. The two (2) shows are at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. The Box Office will open at 1000 hours on May 12 and tickets can be picked up for either concert. The tickets are free and are on a first come first serve basis. Four (4) tickets per adult.

DISPLAYS AT THE DAFC MALL:

Friday 5/20 - 10am to 7pm
Saturday 5/21 9am to 6pm (some equipment w/ill be gone for the parade)
Sunday 5/22 11am to 3pm

The displays are at the Del Amo Mall west of the parking structure for the Lifestyle Wing in the lower parking lot.

PHONE CALLS FOR ESCORTS:

THERE WILL BE PHONE CALLS FOR MOTOR ESCORTS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT. For people N/B on the 405 fwy they should exit at Western, go s/b and the w/b on 190th when safe pull into the center divider and wait for the motors to arrive. For people going S/B on the 405 fwy they should get off on Western, turn right and they will be on 190th, when safe pull into the center divider and wait for the motors to arrive.