LAWTON — The Lawton-Fort Sill Armed Forces Day celebration, dubbed as the nation’s largest such event, literally brought out the big guns for the annual parade with some of the Army’s largest tanks and the firing of cannons.
The cannon firings, which totaled 10 shots, excited the crowd, including Fort Sill’s commanding general, Brigadier General Shane Morgan. The first cannon blast occurred as the color guards and other military entries marched by the review stand at 11th Street and Gore Boulevard.
“What a wonderful day,” the general said. “This was a phenomenal experience.”
The parade, organized by Fort Sill officials and the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, was an opportunity for the community to show its patriotism and love of country, Morgan said.
“We are proud American people representing our country,” he said, referencing the numerous Army units that participated in the parade. “This is representative of what Fort Sill offers.”
Morgan was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in January.
The parade also included a flyover by two Air Force planes from Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Different field artillery and air defense artillery vehicles were sporadically placed throughout the parade giving attendees a taste of the firepower at Fort Sill. Some of the heavy firepower included the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, M109 A7 Paladin self-propelled cannon, Knight forward observer vehicle, air defense vehicles and M777 and M119 towed Howitzer.
Thousands of paradegoers lined the route which started at Central Plaza, cheering for the military, veterans floats and other community supporters of Fort Sill. American flags were distributed to spectators who waved the red, white and blue as Army and other military entries passed by.
Some of the parade watchers talked about their excitement of watching the event unfold.
“It was pretty good,” Lawton resident Ashley Romero said. “It was a great community event. The tanks were probably the most attractive, and the fire department was a big hit with the kids. Our kids were giving the military personnel high fives. They were very friendly.”
Butch Goodman said he was impressed with how Fort Sill soldiers marched in unison.
“They were awesome,” he said of the military units. “Even the small businesses did a wonderful job.”
Emma and David Talley, who try to attend the parade each year, said their children enjoyed the Shriners' go-carts, the fire trucks and the large military tanks and vehicles.
David Talley, who spent 14 years in the military, had a déjà vu moment when he saw some of the Army vehicles roll along the route, including the Multiple Launch Rocket Systems
“I worked on those types of vehicles when I was in the Army,” he recalled.
President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank military members for their patriotic service in support of the country.
Armed Forces Day was created Aug. 31, 1949, when Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced one celebration would replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the armed forces under one department – the Department of Defense.