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SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, commanding general, U.S. Army North, and senior commander, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, waves to spectators May 19 as Grand Marshal of the "Here's to our Heroes" Military River Parade. The inaug...
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas - San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro (center), along with Nancy Hunt (right), executive director, Paseo del Rio Association, introduce the Grand Marshal for the inaugural "Here's to our Heroes" Military River Parade, Lt. Gen. W...
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Military ambassadors representing the U.S. Army, the Marine Corps, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard wave to spectators May 19 during the inaugural "Here's to our Heroes" Military River Parade. The parade along the Riv...
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Members of the 323rd Army Band, the award-winning "Biohazard Brass Band," perform for spectators May 19 at the inaugural "Here's to our Heroes" Military River Parade. The parade along the River Walk in downtown San Antonio opened...
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Angie Johnson, a contestant on the television show "The Voice," sings the national anthem May 19 along with "Tops in Blue," the U.S. Air Force's premier entertainment showcase, to begin the inaugural "Here's to our Heroes" Milita...
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Sgt. Shanelle McNair, Army Institute of Surgical Research; Spc. Norma Torres, Army North; and Sgt. 1st Class Sonny Figueroa, Army Medical Department Center and School; were on hand in authentic historical Army uniforms at the ina...
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FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Thousands turned out May 19 to celebrate Armed Forces Day with an inaugural military river parade and concert in downtown San Antonio.
The "Here's to our Heroes" military river parade kicked off at the Arneson River Theater with a performance by "Tops in Blue," the U.S. Air Force's premier entertainment showcase, and the singing of the national anthem by Angie Johnson, a contestant from the television show "The Voice," and former member of Tops in Blue.
Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, commanding general, U.S. Army North, and senior commander, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, served as the Grand Marshal for the parade, put on by the Paseo del Rio Association and the City of San Antonio.
"This Military River Parade will salute and celebrate the men and women who serve, or have served, in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces," said Marty Williams, president of the Paseo del Rio Board of directors.
Event organizers dyed the river blue for the parade, and the parade featured 25 river floats representing the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, military support organizations and many others, including a float honoring Wounded Warriors.
Spc. Norma Torres, a supply specialist at U.S. Army North, was one of three Soldiers at the parade in vintage U.S. Army uniforms from different time periods. The San Antonio native said the parade was special for her because it honored veterans like her grandfather, Leopoldo Ramirez, a Marine Corps Lance Corporal who was a POW for three years during the Vietnam War.
"It means a lot to be honored for my service, but it was special to me because of the veterans that were there that I spoke to, and the recognition for their service," said Torres.
The celebration culminated with a free concert hosted by Operation Homefront in Hemisfair Park that featured country music star Tracy Lawrence.
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