Torrance’s Armed Forces Day Parade celebrates U.S. military, local heroes

Torrance celebrated local military heroes and the 250th anniversary of the United States Army during the city’s 63rd annual Armed Forces Day Parade on Saturday afternoon, May 17.

“It was good to see all the branches represented as they should be, protecting us, protecting our freedom,” said Neil Alenik, a Redondo Beach resident.

“This is a pretty special event,” he added.  “So many people take our  freedom for granted.”

The parade was the highlight of a series of events this weekend, which included the seventh annual Torrance Armed Forces Day 5K for Freedom Run/Walk on Saturday, hosted by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce.

A performance by the 4th Infantry Division Band on Friday, May 16, an appearance by a Black Hawk helicopter and military exhibits at the Del Amo Fashion Center — including aircraft, vehicles and support equipment — was also on display over the weekend.

While the city’s parade and celebration honors the entire U.S. Armed Forces each year, the focus of the annual event rotates among the various branches. This year, the focus was on the Army.

To that end, Lt. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, was the grand marshal of the parade, which attracts thousands yearly and is one of the few in the nation that is sanctioned by the Department of Defense to honor the military. The parade, the city’s website says, also has the “distinction of being the nation’s longest running military parade sponsored by any city.”

Actress Katey Segal, known for her roles on “Married With Children,” “Sons of Anarchy” and “Futurama,” and trained martial artist and actor Michael Jai White were the honorary grand marshals of the parade.

The event also spotlights local heroes.

Ted Tanouye and Wataru Nakamura, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from Torrance, were also celebrated at the parade.

Nakamura’s nephew, Torrance resident Gary Takashima, rode in the parade, as did relatives of Tanouye.

Gary Nakamura was presented a posthumous award for his uncle’s bravery by President Joe Biden in January.

President Bill Clinton posthumously honored Tanouye at the White House in June 2000, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s website.

The 5K run/walk, meanwhile, honored World War II Army veteran and Olympic distance runner Louis Zamperini.

Others honored during the 5K were:

• Lt. Col. Brenda Threat, director of Veteran Services, El Camino College.
• Second Lt. Patrick Ben, Purple Heart recipient, U.S. Army Reserves.
• Major Raymond Klutse, G3 Operations, National Training Center.
• Sgt. Major Bernard Neely, G3 Operations, NTC.
• Sgt First Class Aaron Chipix, G3 Operations, NTC.
• Sgt. First Class Rodney Spence, G3 Operations, NTC.

As for the parade, thousands of people once again lined Torrance Boulevard on Saturday afternoon as the procession traveled from Crenshaw Boulevard to Madrona Avenue. The throngs cheered as various military vehicles, including helicopters, boats and tanks rolled down the 1-mile parade route.

The parade also featured military and high school bands, Scout troops and local JROTC groups, and local and military officials, among other participants.

Freelance photographer Raphael Richardson contributed to this report.