GEORGIA-INDEPENDENCE DAY US troops take part in Georgia's Independence Day celebrations in Tbilisi

Record ID: 154023

  • Title: GEORGIA-INDEPENDENCE DAY US troops take part in Georgia's Independence Day celebrations in Tbilisi
  • Date: 26th May 2015
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF GEORGIAN OFFICIALS AND DIGNITARIES AT PODIUM LISTENING TO NATIONAL ANTHEM VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS ON SQUARE LISTENING TO NATIONAL ANTHEM
  • Embargoed: 10th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Georgia
  • Country: Georgia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA18178GPCL1EI4Y3QVJE3PW83I
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Residents of the South Caucasus Republic of Georgia marked its Independence day on Tuesday (May 26) with a parade of troops in the capital Tbilisi and various festivities across the country.
    Georgian troops, that have just completed joint military drills with U.S. forces at Vaziani military base, marched at the parade held on Tbilisi's Freedom Square as large crowds looked on and cheered.
    For the first time in Georgia's history U.S. troops attended the celebrations.
    "Today we are here to celebrate Georgia's Independence Day," said U.S. military trainer, Lieutenant Andrew Boyd.
    "I want to congratulate the Georgian people and we are here celebrating with you today for that," he added.
    Joint U.S. and Georgian military drills saw some 600 soldiers take part in manoeuvres, for which the U.S. army for the first time transported an entire mechanised company, including 14 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, across the Black Sea from Bulgaria.
    One of the U.S. vehicles was put on display during Tuesday's celebrations, garnering the fascination of children on Freedom Square.
    U.S. and Georgia forces served together in Afghanistan and Iraq.
    The climax of Tuesday's Independence Day parade saw Georgian military jets and helicopters perform a flyover of the square.
    The celebration dates back to May 26, 1918 when Georgia declared its independence from Russia. In 1922 it became a part of the Soviet Union and regained its independence again after its dissolution in 1991.
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