Army kicks off 250th birthday celebration at the Rose Parade

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.