I went down to see the parade at the Mall in DC, arriving about 1430 hrs, Security was extremely tight. I had to walk two miles from the area near the IMF down to the Washington Monument. But it was worth every minute.

The crowd was exceedingly friendly; water stations were everywhere, people were well dressed for a summer afternoon and it seemed everyone cleaned up after themselves.

The parade was impressive and the soldiers looked like they thoroughly enjoyed every bit of. Tank commanders were pumping their fists. The reenactment troops in Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, and WWII garb were great. The Sherman's and old jeeps brought a smile.

I was wearing a VN vet hat with CIB, Special Forces, Macvsog, paratrooper wing pins and was treated very well. I wound up being interviewed by Australian TV.

This parade was worth every penny - part of the year-long 250 year celebrations of our independence begun in April with Lexington and Concord. In a way I feel sorry for those who chose to make the day political and to "protest" something or another.. They missed out on a true citizen army receiving true accolades from the citizenry on an auspicious occasion. It was a real celebration ceremony.that should have brought us all together.

All I see in the news is "No Kings Day" protests. That's a shame; they missed one of the genuine feel good stories of the year.

Gene Willisms - 05B4S; 11B4S.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Last edited by Argo44; 06/29/25 05:27 PM.
Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch