On the French national Day of the 14th July, called Bastille Day, a large military parade took place on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, as always. This year, the parade was open by US troops commemorating the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into the First World War. The French Foreign Legion also participated in, closing the parade of marching troops.

In Paris in 2017, the French Foreign Legion was, as usually, represented by the Foreign Legion Pioneers, being accompanied by the Foreign Legion Music Band.

These two units have always been reinforced by legionnaires from one of the Foreign Legion regiments. This year, a detachment of some 100 legionnaires from the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE), the training unit of the Foreign Legion, completed the formation.

The Foreign Legion is closing the parade of marching troops. It’s due to its much slower marching speed than the rest of the French Army (88 steps/minute vs 120 steps/minute).

In 2017, 145 US soldiers and Marines from the United States Armed Forces were opening the parade, for the first time in history, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entering into WWI. Five US troops headed the parade in the traditional Sammies uniform.

US President Donald Trump was attending the parade alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, and saluted the US troops.

See more detailed info about the 2017 military parade:
Foreign Legion: 14th July 2017 is coming.

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Related posts:
Foreign Legion: 2016 Bastille Day Military Parade
Foreign Legion: Bastille Day Military Parade 2015
Foreign Legion: Bastille Day Military Parade 2014
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