posted May 23, 2006
WTCI, the community's PBS station, will broadcast the 57th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade on Sunday, May 28, at 6 p.m. This event, taped live on May 5 in downtown Chattanooga, will include the parade in its entirety along with interviews with local leaders and military personnel.
The hour-long program will be hosted by Kelly Williams, WTCI Vice President of Programming and Public Information with special guests hosts local radio announcer Hey! Earl Freudenberg and Cynthia Fagan, Associate Director for Development for the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults
"It is an honor to support such patriotic events in our community," said Paul Grove, WTCI President and CEO. "It is part of our PBS station's commitment to its community to produce local programs that have meaning, integrity and celebrate the dedication and courage of those who strive to protect our country's freedoms."
According to local leaders, this parade may be the longest consecutive running parade in celebration of the men and women serving in our country's military. Nationally, Armed Forces Day is held the third Saturday in May. In Chattanooga, the parade is held the first Friday of May in an effort to avoid the end of the school year and the beginning of the vacation season, therefore encouraging the participation of more local students and families.
Prior to 1949, each branch of the military held their own celebration day. On Aug. 3, 1949, then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day. President Harry Truman also announces the holiday in a presidential proclamation on Feb. 20, 1950. All branches of the military were asked to celebration on this day and they complied with the first official Armed Forces Day held on May 20, 1950.
Each year a branch of service in rotation is focused on for the parade. This year the Marine Corps was branch of service being honored. Congressman Zach Wamp, State Representative Vince Dean and Commissioner John A. Keys, representing Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen were among the guests enjoying the parade from the official viewing stage.
Capt. Kirk Parsons of Chattanooga's Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, served as Parade Marshal. Also included in the parade is Review Officer: Col. William F. Todd; Civilian Co-Chairman: Commission Curtis Adams; Military Co-Chairman: MSGT Robert S. Clark, USMC; CAVC Chairman: Charles Bates and the Color Guard was provided by the Navy and Marine Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway.
Marching were The Marine Corps Band; members of Battery M, 4th Battalion, 14th Marines representing the U.S. Marine Corps of which 32 were mobilized on May 15; members representing the Marine Corp League; Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center; Tennessee Air National Guard, 241st Engineering Installation Squadron; U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; Downtown Sertoma Club; Red Bank High School JROTC; Gold Star Mothers Scenic Chapter; Vietnam Veterans Chapter #203; Sale Creek High School JROTC; Women Veterans Network; Supporters of the Medal of Honor Museum; Hamilton County Mass Band; International Military Vehicle Preservation Association; Past in Review; Soddy Daisy High School JROTC; TriState Chapter of Merchant Marines; Veterans for Good Government; The Owl Battalion of Ooltewah High School; World War I Ladies Auxiliary 2063; Military Order of Purple Heart; Hixson High School Air Force JROTC; Electric Power Board; Disabled American Veterans; The Retired Enlisted Association; Brainerd Highs School JROTC; VFW 4848; Cub Scout Pack 3266; Central High School JROTC; James Craig Lodor Post 148 of the American Legion; Korean Association of Chattanooga; Military Officers Association of America; East Ridge High School JROTC; Citizen Soldier for the Atomic Bomb; Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 942; American Legion William E. Blair Post 95; and the American Red Cross.
"Throughout its 36 year history, WTCI has focused on constantly providing quality programming and services that are relevant to the needs, interests and diverse population in the region we cover. I assure our community that the best is yet to come with WTCI's commitment to its members and viewers and this special broadcast of the Armed Forces Day Parade is just one example of that commitment," Mr. Grove added.
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