Soldiers saluted, 1,200 Soldiers march in annual Sundown Salute celebration

By Jordan ChapmanJuly 9, 2009

Soldiers saluted, 1,200 Soldiers march in annual Sundown Salute celebration
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Vincent Brooks, commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne, division command sergeant major, lead 1,200 Soldiers down Sixth Street during the July 4 Sundown Salute parade. Brooks said the amount o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers saluted, 1,200 Soldiers march in annual Sundown Salute celebration
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers saluted, 1,200 Soldiers march in annual Sundown Salute celebration
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FORT RILEY, Kan. - As the sound of marching boots made its way around the corner of Eisenhower and onto Sixth Street in Junction City on July 4, local and surrounding area residents couldn't help but cheer and applaud the 1,200 uniformed men and women passing before them during the Sundown Salute parade.

Though spectators young and old waved and shouted in praise to try to gain the attention of one of the heroes passing in front of them, each Soldier carried on with eyes forward, steadfast in their pride, discipline and undoubted remembrance of fallen loved ones, friends or historical figures.

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley noted the number of Soldiers within the parade acted as a symbol of how Fort Riley has grown and its greater involvement in the communities that surround post.

"We thought this would be a great opportunity to reinforce our relationship with the surrounding community. We have the Soldiers here. The Soldiers love Junction City and Junction City loves our Soldiers, so what better way to make this all happen," Brooks said, adding further that the number of Soldiers participating in the parade is dependent on the number of units at Fort Riley.

All units from the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley were represented that morning and helped make up the largest contingent of Soldiers to ever march in the Sundown Salute parade.

Along with every unit, every rank and a multitude of ages also were represented amongst the Soldiers, said 1st Inf. Div. Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne.

"We have such a unique connection with the citizens of Junction City. This shows our deep appreciation for the support they show us and our Families everyday," he said.

Max and Brigitte Wendell of Junction City were happy to come out to show their support for their troops.

When Max Wendell heard that so many troops would be present he felt a sense of pride. "They're in there to protect our freedom and rights, just like the war of 1776," he said.

Former Soldier of 12 years and current Junction City resident John Tenorio felt similar sentiments as Wendell.

"The majority of these people are military, so I would think they would want to see their Soldiers march and be proud," he said.

Pride was a word that Terry Heldstab, Junction City mayor, also could relate too as he watched the Soldiers march past him and his family.

"I think that was the most incredible thing I have seen in a parade in many years and I have lived here my whole life. It has been a long long time since we have seen that many troops marching. I think it's very fitting," he said, agreeing with other residents who acknowledged a correlation between the amount of troops marching in the parade and the growing community involvement that multiple area cities have seen since the growth at Fort Riley has occurred.

Spc. Clancey Henderson, Soldier of the Year, was appreciative of the support given by residents. "I've never seen community support like this at a military base. I've had a limited time in the Army, but of the four or five posts I have been to I have never seen a parade like this," he said.

Pvt. Jake Hoffman, 17, the youngest Soldier at Fort Riley, agreed with Henderson and said he hoped such support would continue as he progresses through his years in the Army.

Following the parade many residents crowded into Heritage Park to witness the wreath laying ceremony to honor past and present U.S. Army Soldiers.

The ceremony had Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Cpl. Avery Abbott and Brooks place a wreath in front of the Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial while Champagne and Henderson placed a wreath in front of a Big Red One Memorial.

As each man saluted his respective wreath and memorial, seven Soldiers in dress uniform conducted a 21-gun salute.

"As we celebrate ... our nation's independence, it is only fitting that we also gather here in Heritage Park to pay tribute and remember those wise statesmen and gallant Soldiers who sought and fought for our independence more than two centuries ago," Brooks said. "The Fourth of July is truly our Independence Day: a day of celebration, a day of remembrance and a day of rededication to our country."