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Event
The 66th Annual Appleton Flag Day Parade will be held on June 11, 2016, and will be a tribute to the U.S. Air Force.
The Honorary Parade Marshal will be a high-ranking Air Force officer. We are celebrating this year's theme “Let Freedom Ring” by observing the 75th Anniversary of the entry of the United States into World War II. The Parade will feature military units and military marching bands from throughout the nation — and will include about 100 total units. Participants include veterans' organizations, scout troops, patriotic floats,
decorated vehicles, walking units, along with multiple marching bands.
• Date: Saturday, June 11, 2016
• Time: 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This year's Parade will follow its traditional route through downtown Appleton
This year's Flag Day Parade will use the traditional staging area and route. For details and a map, see the Route page.
Parade Grand Marshal
Each year the City of Appleton Flag Day Parade’s Grand Marshal is the American Flag. "Old Glory" rides in the Parade's lead vehicle to kickoff the oldest Flag Day Parade in the nation.
In 1949 the Appleton Elks Club made the decision to honor the U.S. Flag with a community parade. The Elks, many of whom were WWII veterans, wanted each citizen to be proud to live in the United States of America and to appreciate their freedom. That same year, an Act of Congress signed by President Truman officially recognized June 14th as National Flag Day. The first Flag Day Parade in Appleton was held in 1950.
Escorting the U.S. Flag
This year's Escort to the U.S. Flag in the Parade Grand Marshal Jeep is Michael Borg
Michael Borg graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1963 and joined the United States Air Force in 1965. Mike was trained as a Defense Missile Guidance Technician at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, CO. After training he was assigned to Selfridge Air Force Base, which was a B52 Bomber Base with a Fighter Air Force Squadron housing 102 and 106 fighter aircraft. In 1967, he was assigned to the 412th Munitions Fighter Squadron at Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam. Following an enjoyable career in Vietnam, Mike finished out his career with the USAF at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan, returning to Appleton in 1969.
Mike returned to college graduating as an Industrial Electronics Technician and spent the remainder of his career with Northern Musicast here in Appleton as an Electronics Technician working in commercial sound communications. In 1980, Mike joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars and has been a very active member holding numerous offices since that time.
Following a 9-year term as their State Judge Advocate, he began his climb up the leadership chairs and will complete his term of office as the 2015-2016 State of Wisconsin VFW Commander following their Annual Convention at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel on Saturday, June 11th. Michael is also a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Honorary Parade Marshal
BRIGADIER GENERAL
GARY L. EBBEN
Wisconsin Air National Guard
Brig. Gen. Gary L. Ebben is Wisconsin’s deputy adjutant general for Air. As such, he serves as the chief advisor to the Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to Air National Guard programs, policies, operations, management and command and control of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He also provides staff assistance guidance and direction concerning Air National Guard personnel, administration, training, recruiting and retention incentives, and budgetary matters.
Gen. Ebben is responsible for more than 2,300 Wisconsin Air National Guard personnel serving in two flying wings and three geographically separated units including a Combat Readiness Training Center.
Gen. Ebben earned a bachelor’s degree of Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1982. He completed Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. He attended Flight Safety Officer School at Norton Air Force Base in California in 1988, Aircraft Maintenance Officer School at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas in 1997, and the National Guard Joint Task Force Commander Course at U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado in 2011.
Gen. Ebben was commissioned as a second lieutenant on Aug. 19, 1982 and was promoted to first lieutenant two years later. He earned his pilot wings at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., and was also stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.; and Barksdale Air Force Base, La., before joining the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 176th Tactical Fighter Wing as an A-10 aircraft commander in August 1984. Promoted to captain in September 1986, he served as an A-10 instructor pilot from October 1988 to August 1991. He was promoted to major in August 1990 and became a Command and Control Center pilot with the 128th Tactical Fighter Wing in August 1991. Gen. Ebben became chief of operational support for aircraft with the 115th Operations Support Flight in March 1995, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1995. He became commander of the 115th Maintenance Squadron in April 1996 and served as vice commander of the 115th Fighter Wing from April 2000 to November 2001. Promoted to colonel in March 2001, he was named commander of the 115th Operations Group. In August 2002 he became vice commander of the 115th Fighter Wing. Gen. Ebben served as the Wisconsin Air National Guard chief of staff from March 2008 to April 2009, and took command of Volk Field Air National Guard Base in April 2009. He served as chairman of the Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center Council in 2012, and assumed his current rank and duties in November 2012.
As a command pilot, Gen. Ebben has logged more than 3,000 flight hours in aircraft that include the T-4, T-37, T-38, A-10 and RC-26B.
Gen. Ebben’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster, the Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze service star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border.
Featured Groups
See also the Featured Groups webpage.
United States Air Force Honor Guard and Drill Team
The USAF Honor Guard is the premier drill and ceremonial unit of the United States Air Force. It’s one of the Air Force's oldest organizations. Their primary mission is to provide military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, and they also support many high profile ceremonies and events every year, including presidential and congressional events, retirements and promotions. 
Plus major sporting events, and the Presidential Inauguration, the NYC Veteran's Day Parade, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Airmen of every enlisted rank, and both company and field grade officers, volunteer and are competitively selected to serve in the Honor Guard, making the Honor Guard a high standard for discipline and military professionalism.
2D MARINE AIRCRAFT WING BAND. With an authorized strength of one officer and 50 enlisted Marines, the ensemble promises a performance that's exciting and — one the entire family will enjoy. They will play a selection from the band’s extensive repertoire: familiar marches, patriotic favorites, jazz, and popular contemporary music.
Before The Parade Begins...
Free U.S. flags will be handed out along the Parade route about one hour before the Parade begins. This project is a cooperative effort of the following organizations.
Appleton’s American Legion Post No. 38
to Host Annual Post Parade Party
The annual Post Flag Day Parade Party will begin after the Parade at 5 p.m. It is held at American Legion Post No. 38, 3220 W. College Avenue, Appleton.
The parade is honored to announce a performance by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. This is the USAF's premier drill and ceremonial unit, and are reigning champions of the Department of Defense Joint Service Drill Competition.
Also performing are the 2d Marine Aircrtaft Wing Band and Americanos Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps. If other groups become participants, they will be added here as confirmed. Food and refreshments will be offered.
2D MARINE AIRCRAFT WING BAND. With an authorized strength of one officer and 50 enlisted Marines, the ensemble promises a performance that's exciting and — one the entire family will enjoy. They will play a selection from the band’s extensive repertoire: familiar marches, patriotic favorites, jazz, and popular contemporary music.
The Americanos Alumni Association Drum and Bugle Corps traces its origins to post-World War I veterans' groups. The local American Legion organization, then known as Johnston Blessman Post 38 of Appleton, sponsored their first incarnation in 1936.
The corps was an all-male group called the Sons of the American Legion. They presented a Spanish theme that year, and do so proudly to this day.
Today the Americanos are an all volunteer coed unit comprised of Americanos alumni and Drum Corps supporters. Each year for the Flag Day Parade members assemble from across the country.
TV Coverage...
WFRV‑TV Local 5 will videotape the Parade for rebroadcast at the dates and times below.
 |
Saturday, June 11th |
Sunday, June 19th |
Photo credits...
Photos of the Appleton Flag Day Parade are courtesy of Bill Siebers and Jeff Lindsay
©2016 Flag Day Parade Committee