In France, the 14th July marks the French National Day, called Le 14 Juillet by the French and Bastille Day in English-speaking world. The national day originated in the 14th July 1790, when the unity of the French was commemorated for the first time. Since 1880, a large military parade in Paris has been a part of the celebrations. Also in 2017, a Bastille Day military parade will take place on the Champs-Elysées, and the legionnaires will participate in. This year, the United States Armed Forces will be involved in the parade, too.
In Paris in 2017, the French Foreign Legion is represented by the Foreign Legion Pioneers, being accompanied by the Foreign Legion Music Band, and a detachment of some 100 legionnaires from the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE), the training unit of the Foreign Legion.
The Foreign Legion, as always, will parade as the last marching unit, because of its much slower marching speed than the rest of the French Army (88 steps/minute vs 120 steps/minute).
This year, the United States Armed Forces will also take part in the parade.
In the air, they will be represented by 6 x F16 Thunderbirds and 2 x F22 Raptors of the US Air Force Europe. On the Champs-Elysées, 145 US soldiers and Marines from 1st Infantry Division, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 7th Army Training Center, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, US Navy Forces Europe and US Marine Forces Europe will open the parade, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into the First World War.
Five of them will head the parade in the traditional Sammies uniform. Sammie is a popular slang for WWI US soldiers (referring to Uncle Sam).
See the preparations for the 2017 Bastille Day Military Parade.
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Related posts:
Legionnaires preparing for the 14th July parade 2014
Foreign Legion: Bastille Day Military Parade 2016
Foreign Legion: Bastille Day Military Parade 2015