- Title: U.S. troops rehearse for Bastille Day military parade in Paris
- Date: 10th July 2017
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) OFFICER IN COMMAND FOR U.S. NAVAL FORCE, NICHOLAS SCHWARZ, SAYING: "It's a huge privilege to be able to come here and be able to celebrate the 100th anniversary of U.S. forces coming here to, you know, support World War 1, and being able to be a part of this huge parade, this oldest and largest military parade in the world, or at least I believe Europe, is a huge honour and we're all happy to be here."
- Embargoed: 24th July 2017 09:29
- Keywords: troops Champs Elysees WWI Paris soldiers military parade Bastille Day army US
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA0036P4VYH3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: U.S. troops marched down the Champs Elysees in Paris in the early morning of Monday (July 10), rehearsing for their starring role in France's July 14 celebrations.
President Donald Trump has been invited to witness the military parade by French President Emmanuel Macron on the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into the First World War.
One-hundred-ninety troops from the U.S. army, navy and airforce will march with thousands of French servicemen and women in the well-known parade, and U.S. planes will contribute to the grand flypast.
A soldier, Ryan Dickson, from the U.S. army's First Infantry Division, talked to Reuters TV about the French and U.S. military's "enduring partnership" since 1917, when American troops symbolically marched to the tomb of French aristocrat and military officer, Marquis de la Fayette, who fought in the American Revolutionary War, in an act of solidarity.
The presence of the First Infantry Division at the Bastille day parade has also added significance this year as the division was created in 1917 in the States, the soldiers explained.
France's National Day celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison where opponents of the monarchy were held at the beginning of the French revolution. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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