Torrance, Calif. -- April 23, 2013 – Beginning Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19, the City of
Torrance will pay tribute to the nation’s Armed Forces with its 54th Annual Armed Forces Day
Celebration and Parade – the City’s longest standing tradition. Each year, the City honors a
different military branch; this year highlights the United States Marine Corps. Grand Marshal,
Major General Melvin Spiese, Former Commanding General, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force,
Camp Pendleton, California, will lead the Parade on Saturday, May 18 that will begin at 1:30
p.m.
The Honorary Grand Marshals for this year’s observance will be Captain Edward Q. Hicks
(USMC – Retired) and Master Gunnery Sergeant Robert D. Reid (USMC – Retired), both of
whom are original Montford Point Marines that began their service between 1942-1949 and
received their basic Marine Corps Training at Camp Montford Point, Camp Lejeune, North
Carolina. The Montford Point Marines received the Congressional Gold Medal on November
23, 2011 for their service and sacrifices to this Country and their contributions to the Marine
Corps and society as a whole. The sacrifices of these men paved the way for other minorities
and women to be integrated into the Marine Corps and engineer social and cultural change in
our Nation.
Major General Spiese, Captain Hicks and Master Gunnery Sergeant Reid will lead the parade of
active and reserve military units from the five branches of the Armed Forces. The parade will
also include military vehicles of all descriptions including: Humvees, armored personnel carriers,
and support vehicles down the streets of Torrance. This year’s celebration is scheduled to
include the largest mass swearing in ceremony in the history of our Parade with over 500 future
soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines taking the oath of office administered by the Grand
Marshal. Additionally, military and elected dignitaries will honor the hundreds of military service
men and women as they pass in review.
Complete Press Release is displayed below. If you are having problem viewing the PDF please click
Parade Press Release 2013.pdf.