Up to 500,000 Expected to See Gulf War Parade

EL TORO — U.S. Marine Corps and county leaders unveiled final plans Thursday for a May 18 military parade to honor American troops who served in the Persian Gulf, an event that its sponsors believe could draw as many as 500,000 people.

“We believe this parade is going to be an unprecedented event in Orange County,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Gaddi H. Vasquez, who has led the effort to coordinate the undertaking. “We’re excited. We anticipate an impressive turnout.”

Vasquez--who was joined at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station by Irvine City Manager Paul O. Brady Jr., Irvine Police Sgt. Tom Hume, parade coordinator Bob Viking and Marine Corps Col. Jack Wagner--said the event will feature 3,000 Orange County troops, along with floral floats, giant balloons, fireworks, bands and a contingent of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, an elite British unit.

The British unit, popularly known as the Desert Rats, will help lead the march down Alton Parkway. It will mark one of three U.S. appearances that these soldiers will make to honor the troops of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

The parade’s special guest: a Patriot missile, one of the pieces of American military hardware that gained renown in the Gulf War.

Organizers of the Armed Forces Day event--dubbed “Operation Orange County Victory Parade!”--said they expect about 90 military units to march along the parade route, which stretches from Irvine Boulevard to Jeronimo Road, near the Marine base. It will mark the first time since 1919 that the county has staged a welcome home event for returning troops.

The following day, on May 19, the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station will hold its annual open house, featuring Marine helicopters from Operation Desert Storm and a 5- and 10-kilometer race.

Last year, about 900 runners participated in the races, taking a course through the interiors of the air station’s 178-foot-high hangars. The race and a breakfast of French toast are among festivities beginning at 8 a.m.

The welcome-home parade, meanwhile, is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and will last about 1 1/2 hours, organizers said.

Hume said crowd estimates still are difficult to make, but he predicted that between 200,000 and 500,000 people will line the route.

Intersections along the route will be lined with concession booths, and money from the sale of food and merchandise will benefit local military families, Vasquez said.

Although the event will tax some local services, notably Irvine and county law enforcement, the bulk of the cost is being picked up by corporate sponsors. Organizers released a list of those sponsors and credited them with paying the expenses and providing services such as free food to event participants.

“The core cost of the parade is being paid for by private funds,” Vasquez said. “It does not include any public dollars.”

The Marine base and nearby Irvine Spectrum will serve as parking areas for the event, and special areas are being set aside for the disabled.

For the troops, the event will stand as a rousing and prideful homecoming celebration, Col. Wagner said, adding that it will be especially meaningful to some soldiers who fought in Vietnam and did not receive such a warm welcome home.

“We will be marching, as Marines know how to do,” Wagner said. “The only difference is we will be looking about two inches taller than usual.”