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PASADENA, Calif. — The Army kicked off its 250th birthday celebration at the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade, where its "This We'll Defend: 250 Years of Service" float highlighting various eras of Army history rolled through Pasadena, California.
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Members of the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps play music as they march alongside the Army's "This We'll Defend: 250 Years of Service" float in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Soldiers march alongside the Army's "This We'll Defend: 250 Years of Service" float in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL
The parade's theme of "Best Day Ever!" provided a fitting backdrop for the float, which featured artistic figures representing Army icons.
Artistic figures on the float included Gen. George Washington; Mary Ludwig Hays, better known by her nickname of Molly Pitcher; Col. Robert Shaw; Maj. Walter Reed; Pfc. Joseph Oklahombi; Charles "Chief" Anderson; and Lt. Col. Harold Moore Jr.
Ushering in the modern era of the Army and riding on the float were Staff Sgt. Joseph Murtaugh and Staff Sgt. Daisy Balbuena as well as several of the Army's soldier athletes, such as Army Capt. Sammy Sullivan.
Army Capt. Sammy Sullivan, who helped the U.S. women's rugby sevens win its first Olympic medal, attended the Rose Parade, Jan. 1, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL
Other soldiers walking alongside the float wore historic uniforms, including soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard." The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps played traditional march music, and a custom musical piece, arranged by Sgt. 1st Class Sara Corry (D.M.A.) and recorded by The U.S. Army Band, known as "Pershing's Own," accompanied the float during the parade, capturing the spirit of the Army from the Revolutionary War to present day.
Soldiers from the Old Guards Commander In Chief's Guard and Fife and Drum Corps, march alongside the 2025 Army Rose Parade float in Pasadena, Ca Jan 1,, 2025. CinC and FDC took part in the 136th Rose Parade along with other Army Units that were hand picked to help tell the Armys story of the last 250 Years during the New Years Day Parade.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL
The parade also featured troopers assigned to the Horse Cavalry Detachment, 1st Cavalry Division, commemorating the era when horse-mounted soldiers were vital to Army operations through World War II.
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Army Spc. Gwendolyne Grosscup waves at the crowd during the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1st, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lyca Williams)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Army troopers pose in front of the Army Rose Parade float in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1st, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lyca Williams)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Army troopers pose in front of the Army Rose Parade float in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1st, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lyca Williams)VIEW ORIGINAL
Being the oldest horse unit in the United States, the Horse Cavalry Detachment has participated in the Tournament of the Roses almost every year since 1996.
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Army troopers assigned to the Horse Cavalry Detachment, 1st Cavalry Division participate in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lyca Williams)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 10Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Army troopers assigned to the Horse Cavalry Detachment, 1st Cavalry Division participate in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lyca Williams)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 10Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Soldiers from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps take part in 2025 Rose Bowl Parade week events in Pasadena, Ca Dec 30, 2025. The Fife and Drum Corps had there photo taken in front of the Rose Bowl Staduim, then performed in Bandfest at Pasadena City College along with several other bands who will be marching in the New Years Day Parade.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 10Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Soldiers from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps take part in 2025 Rose Bowl Parade week events in Pasadena, Ca Dec 30, 2025. The Fife and Drum Corps had there photo taken in front of the Rose Bowl Staduim, then performed in Bandfest at Pasadena City College along with several other bands who will be marching in the New Years Day Parade.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 10Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Soldiers assigned to the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps take part in 2025 Rose Parade events in Pasadena, Calif., Dec. 30, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL6 / 10Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Soldiers assigned to the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps take part in the 2025 Rose Parade events in Pasadena, Calif., Dec. 30, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL7 / 10Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Soldiers and marketing officers decorated the 2025 Rose Bowl Parade float in Pasadena, Calif., Dec 30, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL8 / 10Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Army Brig. Gen. Antoinette R. Gant places a rose on the Army Rose Parade float in Pasadena, Calif., Dec. 31, 2024. The float, titled "This We'll Defend: 250 Years of Service," was designed to kick off the yearlong celebration of the Army's 250th birthday, which is June 14, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL9 / 10Show Caption +Hide Caption –
The Army's "This We'll Defend: 250 Years of Service" float in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL10 / 10Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Spectators of the 2025 Army Rose Parade float hold up score cards in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2025.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antony J. Martinez)VIEW ORIGINAL
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