JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO –
San Antonio will lead the nation in celebrating National Armed Forces Day Saturday with the America's Armed Forces River Parade in downtown San Antonio.
The Paseo del Rio Association's annual Armed Forces tribute begins at 6 p.m. It will be broadcast locally on television station MY35. More than 55 cities have also signed on to host
a syndicated broadcast, including the Pentagon Channel.
The river parade is free to view from the patios and balconies of River Walk businesses or from the banks of the River Walk. Reserved seating ($20 each) is available at the Arneson River Theatre.
The procession is an unmatched event in the country, held on the world-famous River Walk. It features 25 professionally decorated river barges themed according to their participants, which include all branches of the military, veterans, and military support groups.
Members of Great Britain's Chelsea Pensioners will be honored this year by participating in the parade as allies unite to celebrate the nation's military community.
Tech. Sgt. Natasha Andrews, assigned to the 67th Network Warfare Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, was selected to sing the national anthem after competing in an open audition.
"I am incredibly excited to be a part of this parade because I believe it is a great tribute to all of the armed services," said Andrews. "I am new to Lackland and I look forward to a great time."
"It's always nice to see the appreciation and support from loved ones in the local community and around the world," she said.
Joint Base San Antonio employs 90,000 military members, and is the largest joint base in the Department of Defense. According to city officials, there is no more appropriate place to host a national celebration in San Antonio.
"For more than 200 years, the military has played a key role in creating the proud, economically vibrant San Antonio that is widely known as Military City USA," said San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro. "Hosting the America's Armed Forces River Parade reflects
the entire community's commitment to honoring the valor and sacrifices of the brave men and women who have served, or are currently serving, in the Armed Forces."
Last year, the Paseo Del Rio Association initiated the first ever military river parade, attracting thousands of visitors from across the state to salute and celebrate the military members.
"Following the parade, a 90-year-old World War II veteran who rode on one of our barges told me this was the single biggest honor he had been given since his return from duty," said Nancy Hunt, PDRA executive director. "That is incredible to me. To be able to come together as a community each year and provide the men and women of our Armed Forces with a celebration to thank them for all they have given - and continue to give for our country - to me, that is what this parade, and this city, is all about."