The U.S. armed forces were front and center on the national stage on this first day of 2013.
For the first time ever, the U.S. Department of Defense had a float in Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Parade: “Freedom is Not Free” – a replica of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
This is the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War and the Department of Defense’s Korean War Commemoration Committee has launched a website honoring those who fought in the “Forgotten War,” waged from 1950 – 1953.
Most of these photos were taken right from my TV, so although the quality isn’t stellar (on my part), the images were, in my opinion, very gripping and I wanted to share them.
For more information about this float, visit the Pasadena Tournament of Roses website.
The Associated Press
Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc.’s salute to U.S. Military Working Dogs was also featured in today’s parade of floats line up … with a special surprise. A U.S. Army vet, returning from military service – who was riding on the float – was reunited with his family during the parade.
Here’s the official description from the Tournament of Roses Parade line up:
The 5th annual Natural Balance float showcases an exact replica of the United States Military Working Dog Teams National Monument.
“It is the first time in the history of our nation’s U.S. military that an animal, a dog, has been elevated to National Monument status by U.S. Congressional Law (Public Law 110-181, Section 2877).” (-John Burnam). The float theme, “Canines with Courage”, was selected to honor our nation’s four-footed hero soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen and coast guards for saving countless thousands of American lives since World War II.
“Canines with Courage” portrays four-footed heroes who go above and beyond to serve and defend our country and our freedom. This relates to the Parade theme “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” as it inspires all to reach for the skies and to live life to the fullest. The Military Working Dog Teams are trained and ready to go around the world to serve and protect.
Natural Balance is honored to salute “Canines with Courage”, the Military Working Dog Teams and the National Monument in their honor. Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods is privileged to share with everyone how magnificent these canines are and to honor them and their handlers.
For more information about this float, visit the Pasadena Tournament of Roses website
U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, U.S. Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band, 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, and a fly over by a U.S. Air Force B2 bomber rounded out the military presence – not withstanding the hundreds of men and women in uniform – who participated in or watched from curbside – during the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade.
And here’s a special shout out to Korean War veterans, especially my Dad, Chuck Goolsby, who served in the U.S. Navy. Thanks for your service to our country, Dad!
Chuck Goolsby, Boot Camp, San Diego, April, 1952
