ROGER MONROE

On Saturday, June 14, Flag Day, the nation paid tribute to the men and women — past and present — who served and are serving in the U.S. Army. During the Revolutionary War 250 years ago, our small but growing country founded a band of soldiers consisting of farmers, shop owners, and others. They were known as the Continental Army. We remembered that beginning with a celebration highlighted by a magnificent parade of men and women marching down the streets of Constitution Avenue. It also included service members in tanks and other military vehicles and equipment.

I had goose bumps as I saw soldiers from

Ft. Carson, Colo., where I took basic training in 1956, march in step, smartly and proudly, before the White House said was 250,000, plus millions more watching on cable television. More than 6,000 soldiers participated representing between 450 and 500 military bases in the United States. In the sky we saw some 62 planes and helicopters as well as the Golden Knights parachutists, who amazed everyone with their precision aerial skills. One of them carried a United States flag that was delivered to President Trump.

One of the highlights of the birthday celebration of the U.S. Army was the swearing in of 250 new Army enlistees. The oath was delivered by President Trump. What a thrill for the men and women who can tell their children, their families, that they were accepted into the military by the Commander-in-Chief of the United States. They join 60,000 others who also joined the nation’s military, exceeding expectations by four months.

The country’s first military parade was the Grand Review of the Armies which took place in Washington D.C., May 23-24, 1865, at the end of the Civil War. More than 200,000 troops from the Union Army marched down Pennsylvania Avenue. It involved soldiers from the Army of the Potomac, the Army of Tennessee, and the Army of Georgia. President Andrew Johnson, high-ranking generals and thousands of spectators lined the avenue to honor the troops. No one called it President Johnson’s parade.

Military parades in the nation’s capital have continued to mark significant milestones while offering the public a chance to express their appreciation and support for the men and women in uniform. In 1942, during World War II, a massive Army Day parade featured soldiers, tanks, and aircraft that bolstered the homefront morale during the early years of the war. No one called those festivities in New York City President Roosevelt’s parade.

There have been many other military parades over the years such as the 1991 Desert Storm parade in D.C. held June 8, 1991, marking the end of the Gulf War. Approximately 8,000 troops marched the now familiar parade route on Constitution Avenue along with rolling tanks, missile launchers, and flyovers. No one called it President Bush’s parade.

I interviewed a number of retired military members on my morning radio show about their service and the parade. Not one was critical and all thanked President Trump. One said the negative comments reminded him of how Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned from the war. U.S. Navy fighter pilot Dick Crain, a graduate of Manual High School and Bradley University, praised the president for the parade. The Navy Commander said, “I’m grateful we had the opportunity to show our support for the men and women in the service.”

Retired Lt. Col. Hal Fritz also expressed his appreciation for the parade and celebration. The Medal of Honor recipient said we need to do more to support those who put their lives on the line. Fritz was the featured speaker at this year’s Memorial Day ceremony on the Riverfront.

It was noted the parade of our military might have came at an excellent time. As Israel decided to bomb military and nuclear sites in Iran, the United States was flexing its military muscle for the entire world to see. Certainly, those Iranian leaders still alive saw the parade and now may have different thoughts. We hope so.

Like many Americans, I love a parade, especially when it’s held to salute and support our men and women in uniform. They deserve a parade and this year’s event celebrated not only the founding of the U.S. Army, but all branches of military service. After serving two years in the Army, most in Germany, I have an even greater fondness for the military. My service included time at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., Ft. Carson, Colo., Ft. Bliss in Texas, McNair Barracks in West Berlin, and AFN in Hoechst, Germany. As a member of the American Forces Network, I was assigned duty at 10-15 Army and Air Force bases in Germany and France. I worked with men from all over the United States. I fly and salute the flag of the United States of America every day.

I look forward to the next Washington D.C., parade which will be July 4. Starting just before noon, the National Independence Day parade will travel down Constitutional Avenue with bands, fife and drum corps, floats, drill teams, and yes, military and specialty units. Locally, thousands will be in West Peoria for that city’s annual Fourth of July Parade. It’s a winner.

God Bless America and President Trump.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America.”
— William J. Clinton