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Torchlight Parade lights up the streets

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Taylor Curry
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The 75th Anniversary of the Spokane Lilac Festival's Armed Forces Torchlight Parade was held last weekend in downtown Spokane, Wash. Approximately 160,000 people among the community including veterans and active duty service members all went out to see the parade.

The mission of the Spokane Lilac Festival is to honor military, celebrate youth and showcase the region. Established in 1938, the Spokane Lilac Festival celebrates Lilac City, Spokane. The Spokane Lilac Festival dedicates itself to involving local youth, the nation's military and establishing community spirit in the Inland Northwest.

The Spokane Lilac Festival participates in a variety of events that support local armed service men and women, including partnerships with Toys for Tots, Fairchild Air Force Base, Veteran Benefit events and Spokane Navy Week.

In the 1970s, the Festival combined the Torchlight Parade with the Grand Parade, melding it into the nation's largest Torchlight Parade on Armed Forces Day.

"I had a great time watching the Torchlight Parade," said Capt. Ryan Mueller, 92nd Air Refueling Wing chief of adverse actions. "It was a pleasure to be part of an event that really brought the surrounding areas together and celebrated all that the Spokane community has to offer."

The parade this year, lead by a joint-service honor guard colors team, started on Washington Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard and ended on Post Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard.

Among the participants of the parade included Grand Marshall, Brig. Gen. Julie Bentz; Honorary Grand Marshall, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee; Honorary Marshall, Mayor Myeong-hyun Choi of Jecheon City, Korea; Honorary Marshall, Sergeant First Class Michael Sebastian; Lilac Queen, Brett Roundtree; 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, Col. Brian Newberry; 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Wendy Hanson; U.S. Senator, Maria Cantwell; Spokane Mayor, David Condon; 141st Air Refueling Wing commander, Col. Daniel Swain; 336th Training Group commander, Col. William Thomas; City of Spokane Police Chief, Frank Straub; Spokane County Sheriff, Ozzie Knezovich and Mayor of Spokane Valley, Tom Towey.

"Being a part of the parade this year was very exciting," said Airman 1st Class Janelle Patino, a volunteer for the parade. "Seeing all the people gather to honor our service members made me very proud to be serving my country. Hopefully next year I'll be able to volunteer again."