"What's funny is that Bremerton started this tradition two years prior to it actually being named a holiday," said Frank Gentile, operations manager for the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce and retired Air Force master sergeant. "Back then it was ‘Bud Hawk Day' to celebrate his Congressional Medal of Honor. The next year local organizations just did it again without an official title, and then it became Armed Forces Day."
This 62nd Annual Dignity Memorial Armed Forces Day Parade, which is organized through the Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Saturday, May 15, starting at 10 a.m. This year's Grand Marshall is Vice Admiral Kevin McCoy, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command and the theme is ‘In Honor of Those Who Serve'.
Hawk, who won the CMH in 1945 and is a Washington native, will lead off the parade. Spectators travel from all over the state to surround the downtown parade route; typically, between 25,000 and 30,000 are on hand to watch the parade.
In order to be in the parade, groups must first submit an application. This year, according to Gentile, there are 170 entries, including 20 high school and middle school bands from as far away as Wenatchee and the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Honor Guard. More than 150 marching units, the Pearl Harbor Survivors and members of the Combat Veterans International organization (on motorcycles) will offer moving tributes to servicemembers. For those unable to make it out to Bremerton, the parade will also be broadcast live on Bremerton Kitsap Access Television.
"We are the largest registered Armed Forces Day parade in the country. There is even one retired Chief Master Sergeant who drives every year from Missouri to walk in the parade," said Gentile. "He probably travels the furthest to be a part of our event."
In addition to the parade, the Chamber of Commerce and the city of Bremerton host a variety of events throughout the week prior - from a Military Culinary Arts Competition that was held on May 8 to the popular Pepsi-sponsored golf tournament held on Friday May 14. See below for a complete listing of what to do in the city on Armed Forces Day:
- At 6:30 a.m. runners and walkers can participate in the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church 5K run/2M walk on Fourth Street & Naval Avenue. Call Joseph Spears at (360) 373-1063 for reservations and information.
- From 7 to 10 a.m. attend either the Bremerton Central Lions Pancake Breakfast on Fourth Street, between Washington and Pacific, or the Masonic Lodge Pancake Breakfast at Fifth and Warren.
- The USS Turner Joy, which is adjacent to the Louis Mentor Memorial Boardwalk, will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- From noon to 3 p.m., attend the Heroes Barbecue along Pacific Avenue, between Fourth and Burwell. Open to all military personnel, dependents, retirees and the entire community at no charge. This is a terrific opportunity to meet heroes who have served in the past and thank those who are currently serving.
- Finally at 5 p.m. the Bremerton/Olympic Council Navy League will host its annual Gala at the Admiral Theatre, 515 Pacific Avenue. The event includes dinner and show with a keynote speech by Vice Admiral McCoy. Tickets for the Gala are $55 and may be purchased from the Admiral Theatre box office (360) 373-6743.