American Legion to appear in Rose Parade on New Year’s Day

On March 15, The American Legion will celebrate its 100th birthday. To highlight its centennial nationwide during one of the biggest New Year’s Day celebrations, The American Legion will have a presence in the 130th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1.

The American Legion will have the third float in the parade, directly behind the Marine Corps band.

An American Legion centennial float will travel the 5 1/2-mile parade route filled with hundreds of thousands of spectators and millions of viewers watching live on television. The float will showcase The American Legion to parade viewers as several members of the Legion Family will ride the float, such as National Commander Brett Reistad, Sons of The American Legion National Commander Greg “Doc” Gibbs and Auxiliary National President Kathy Dungan. Also included will be an American Legion Rider, youth program alumni such as 2018 American Legion Boys Nation president and Auxiliary Girls Nation president, a Samsung American Legion scholar, and Olympic gold medalist and American Legion air-rifle champion Jamie Corkish.

A representative from each of the five military branches also will be on the float, along with a Medal of Honor recipient from each of the war eras. They include Hershel “Woody” Williams of World War II, Ron Rosser of the Korean War, Walter “Joe” Marm of the Vietnam War and Britt Slabinski of the Global War on Terror.

In the days leading up to the parade, a delegation of American Legion Family members and youth program participants will decorate it. On Dec. 30, the float will be judged along with others in the parade.

Also on Dec. 30, American Legion Post 13 in Pasadena will host a special black-tie event where Reistad, the four Medal of Honor recipients, other American Legion Family leaders, youth champions and others will be present.

The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Legion post, 131 N. Marengo Ave. in Pasadena. For ticket prices and more information, call 626-792-2158 or email oldtownpost13@gmail.com. To register, please visit here.

Visit www.legion.org for more details about The American Legion’s presence in the parade.

The Rose Parade will be broadcast live beginning at 8 a.m. PST. The parade is televised on ABC, NBC, Hallmark Channel and others. Check your local broadcast listings for more information