Torrance’s popular ode to the United States military will march back into the city at last.
After a three-years hiatus, the nation’s longest running municipally sponsored military procession will return to the South Bay’s largest city this weekend, with various active members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces participating — and a three-day celebration providing a whole slate of activities.
The 61st Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration will take place from Friday to Sunday, May 19-21. It will feature a free concert by a military band, a 5K Run for Freedom and military assets on display. There will also be two military flyovers, one coordinated by the Western Museum of Flight and the other by the Coast Guard.
The parade, typically the biggest highlight of the weekend, will begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on Crenshaw Boulevard. The parade will then travel one mile west onTorranceBoulevard to Madrona Avenue.
Typically, the parade attracts more than 100,000 people. And more than 8,000 participants, including active duty troops and veterans, march along the parade route.
“The city’s Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration is truly a special event for the city to host,” said Torrance Mayor George Chen. “We are very proud to have this opportunity to recognize and thank all members of the Armed Forces, whether they’re active or not. We hope they feel appreciated for their commitment and service, and for selflessly putting their lives on the line to keep Americans safe and free.”
Torrance’s Armed Forces Day celebration began in 1960, under then-Mayor Al Isen, as a salute to his friends and other military members. It has been a community fixture for years.
Torrance, though, hasn’t hosted a full version of the beloved tradition since 2019. The coronavirus pandemic nixed the celebration in 2020 and 2021. Torrance then held a stripped-down version last year because of budgetary concerns and staffing shortages.
Torrance is one of the few…
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