Americans to Lead Bastille Day 2017 Parade: France Honors US for WWI Centennial

STUTTGART, Germany – A historic first, nearly 200 American service members will lead the Military Parade on Bastille Day, July 14, 2017, along the famous Champs-Elysées in Paris in commemoration of the U.S. entry into WWI.

The French government traditionally invites a country of honor to lead the parade, which is linked to a historical event and highlights a symbolic gesture of friendship.

“France stood with us during the American Revolution and that strategic partnership endures today,” said General Curtis Scaparrotti, Commander, U.S. European Command.  “On behalf of the 60,000 service members standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the French to ensure Europe is whole, free and at peace, we are honored to lead the Bastille Day Parade and help celebrate the French independence.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President Donald Trump, and many more dignitaries are scheduled to attend the event while more than 3,765 people participate in the parade.  On July 6, 1880, the French Parliament passed an act declaring July 14 a national holiday to mark the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. As part of nationwide celebrations, a traditional military parade is held.

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and an F-22 are slated to conduct flyovers.  The U.S. served as the country of honor and led the parade for the first time ever, according to the Center of Military History.

The partnerships forged in war a hundred years ago endure today as U.S. forces in Europe remain steadfast in their commitment to European Allies and partners, ensuring Europe is whole, free, and at peace.

“During the centennial of America’s entry into World War I, we commemorate America’s sons and daughters who defended peace – many of them descendants of European immigrants who came to America seeking freedom, opportunity and a better life,” said General Scaparrotti.  “Amidst the horrors of war, over 4 million Americans served in World War I and more than 100,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice.”

For more information, follow the hashtag #14Juillet or view:
www.dvidshub.net/feature/WWICentennial.

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U.S. European Command is one of the United States’ two forward-deployed Geographic Combatant Commands whose area of focus cover almost one-fifth of the planet, including all of Europe, large portions of Asia, parts of the Middle East and the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans.  The command is responsible
for military relations with NATO and 51 countries with a total population of close to a billion people.