Renamed Veterans Day in 1953, November 11 was first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. That year, on November 13, John Philip Sousa's band played in the Washington National Guard Armory in Tacoma and President Woodrow Wilson spoke there two months earlier. In 1947, a Military Ball was held on Armistice Day at the Armory, where more than 1,500 people were expected to attend. The presentation of colors to the local reserve units of the Army and Army Air Corps highlighted the evening. Army and Navy dignitaries and prominent civilian guests attended the event. View of ceremonies under way at the Armory (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 7).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Abbie J. Allison has just received the keys to the first 1949 Ford automobile, the car was delivered by Titus Motor Company. Three years ago, Abbie became the first owner in Pierce County of the first post war car, a 1946 Ford. View of Titus Motor Company's Ford Automobiles, Model N and 1949 Ford custom Tudor; Cameo Theatre's marquee featuring "Bandits of Dark Canyon" and "Northwest Outpost" in background; photo ordered by Sconce Advertising Agency (T. Times, 6/22/48, p. 5).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marquees--Tacoma; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Sconce Advertising (Tacoma);

Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. Military and city officials stand at attention during the Washington Birthday parade held in Tacoma in 1949. 4,000 troops marched during the parade that was staged in observance of National Security week under the sponsorship of the Reserve Officers Association. Names are listed in the newspaper article. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Five infantry battalions marched in a military parade on Washington's Birthday in 1949. The one and one-half hour parade included over 4,000 troops. This view shows the battalions marching north along Broadway. Soldiers marching at the front are just turning the corner in front of the Roxy Theater onto South 9th Street. Several spectators are standing on the awning over the sidewalk in front of the Roxy. Photo taken for Sandegren, Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1) TPL-9062

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. 4,000 troops marched in the Washington Birthday parade held in Tacoma in 1949. Thousands of Tacomans lined downtown streets to view the one and one-half hour parade that was staged in observance of National Security Week under the sponsorship of the Reserve Officers Association. Troops are seen in front of Brotman's at 1126 Commerce Street. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. Four of the five infantry battalions that marched in the Washington Birthday one and one-half hour parade show a massed strength of 2,400 men. This view shows the battalions marching north along Broadway. Soldiers marching at the front are just turning the corner in front of the Roxy Theater onto South 9th Street. Several spectators are standing on the awning over the sidewalk in front of the Roxy. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. A brass band is about to turn the corner from Broadway onto South 9th Street during the Washington Birthday parade held in Tacoma in 1949. Men are playing trombones, sousaphones, tubas and drums. The crowd along the sides of Broadway are holding umbrellas and the streets are wet from rain.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brass instruments; Marching bands;

The color guard of the 4th Infantry Regimental Combat Team led one of the five battalions of soldiers who marched down Tacoma's streets on February 22,1949. The hour-and-a-half Washington's Birthday parade, which is passing the 900 block of Pacific Avenue, was staged in observance of National Security Week under sponsorship of the Reserve Officers Association. A total of 4,000 troops participated in the parade. Old City Hall, 625 Commerce Street, with its tall bell tower can be seen in the distance. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flag bearers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Bremerton's children's pet parade, held August 29, 1936. Several children holding dolls and pushing doll carriages walk in the parade past the Shell service station and Parker Lumber Co. The two children in the lead are a boy and girl dressed in Dutch costumes. The streets are lined with spectators of all ages. (Bremerton Sun 08-31-1936, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Bremerton; Girls--Bremerton--1930-1940; Toys; Dolls; Parker Lumber Co. (Bremerton);

On August 29, 1936, Bremerton's Assistant Fire Chief Ernest Yett, left, and Fire Chief S.B. "Skippy" Lent posed with four unidentified girls and their favorite dolls prior to the Bremerton Pet Parade. Over 264 youngsters marched in the parade sponsored by the Retail Merchant's Association. They carried dolls, wore costumes or were accompanied by their pets. Fire Chief Lent would retire in 1936, after 26 years of service with the department; 11 as a volunteer and 16 years as Fire Chief. Assistant Chief Lett was the only man in the city eligible to test for the vacant Chief position. (Bremerton Sun 8/31/1936, pg. 1; 12/12/1936, pg.1 - Lent retirement).

Parades & processions--Bremerton; Girls--Bremerton--1930-1940; Toys; Dolls; Fire fighters--Bremerton--1930-1940; Yett, Ernest; Lent, S.B.;

It was "Westward Ho" at the Bremerton Children's Pet Parade on August 29, 1936. The Richards photographer captured some children re-enacting a pioneer event--westward movement. A boy with a fake white mustache was photographed sitting on a toy horse pulling a girl with a baby doll in a covered wagon. 264 youngsters took part in the parade sponsored by the Retail Merchants' Association. (Bremerton Sun 08/31/1936, pg. 1).

Parades & processions--Bremerton; Children--Bremerton--1930-1940; Toys; Dolls; Children playing adults;

Youngsters brought favorite dolls, stuffed animals and pets to a children's parade, sponsored by the Retail Merchants' Association, in downtown Bremerton on August 29, 1936. A large group of girls wait patiently in front of Parker Lumber Company for the 1936 event to begin. Over 264 youngsters joined in the parade, showing off a wide variety of dolls and pets of all sizes. (Bremerton Sun 08/31/1936, pg. 1).

Parades & processions--Bremerton; Girls--Bremerton--1930-1940; Toys; Dolls; Pets; Parker Lumber Co. (Bremerton);

On August 29, 1936, the sub teen crowd in Bremerton turned out to participate in the Pet Parade, sponsored by the Retail Merchant's Association. One of the most unusual pets was the pet goat held by Hazel Vosgien, left. Donna Dorene Ames, wearing a hunter's vest with shotgun shells and holding a toy rifle in emulation of the female sharpshooter Annie Oakley, posed with her Irish Setter dog. Over 264 youngsters took part in the fun. (Bremerton Sun 08/31/1936, pg. 1).

Parades & processions--Bremerton; Girls--Bremerton--1930-1940; Pets; Vosgien, Hazel; Ames, Donna Dorene;

Bremerton Fire Chief S. B. "Skippy" Lent, motions to costumed children to smile for the camera during the Children's Pet Parade, held August 29, 1936. Two small children are standing by a toy boat which is mounted on a skirted wagon and pulled by a boy is dressed in a sailor suit. An older girl standing nearby is wearing a very shiny "Bo-Peep" style dress. Over 264 youngsters took part in the parade. (Bremerton Sun 08/31/1936, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Bremerton; Children--Bremerton--1930-1940;

On August 29, 1936, the Retail Merchants' Association of Bremerton, sponsored a Children's Pet Parade. Over 264 children responded to the call, marching with family pets, favorite dolls or dressed as their favorite characters. The youngest entrant was six month old Georgia Gay Scott, gaily smiling in her ruffled bonnet and dress, and seated in a flower-decorated wagon pulled by her dog. Posed beside her is Bill Isbell, #117, scowling slightly at the camera and jauntily attired in a sailor suit, his black and white dog held by a leash. (Bremerton Sun 10-31-1936, pg.1).

Parades & processions--Bremerton; Children--Bremerton--1930-1940; Pets; Scott, Georgia Gay; Isbell, Bill;

On August 29, 1936, the Bremerton Retail Merchants' Association sponsored a Childrens' Pet Parade. Parade participants are captured in the act of parading down the street, toward the water, in Bremerton's business district. Many children have entry numbers on their backs. Sidewalks are lined with spectators. The Piggly Wiggly market and the Pantorium are on the right. (Bremerton Sun 08-31-1936, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Bremerton; Children--Bremerton--1930-1940; Commercial streets--Bremerton; Piggly Wiggly (Bremerton); Pantorium (Bremerton);

Elks, Emmett T. Anderson, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks.The "Scotch Kilties" band of Fort Lewis were featured during the parade welcoming Emmett T. Anderson home from the National Elks Convention. The parade has stopped at the intersection of 9th and Broadway by the Roxy Theatre to allow the Scotch Kilties to perform intricate maneuvers. Band members wear traditional Scottish attire and play drums and bag pipes. The theater was showing "The Girl from Jones Beach" starring Ronald Reagan. (TNT, 7/28/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Marching bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pipes (Musical instruments); Roxy Theatre (Tacoma);

Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to allow citizens to come together on a single holiday to thank our men in uniform for their service to our country. In this photograph of the May 1950 Armed Forces Day parade military units from Fort Lewis are marching south on Pacific Avenue. The camera's image offers a view of the facades of the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific. The Rust Building with 12 stories is at the end of the block. Awnings and fire escapes hang from many of the buildings. All the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific were demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the Park Plaza North Parking Garage.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of an all-African American unit from the United States Army turn the corner onto Pacific as they march down South 9th Street as part of the first Armed Forces Day Parade held on May 20, 1950. Over 2,500 infantrymen of the 9th regimental combat team of the Second division and other units from Fort Lewis took part in the huge display of military might. The troops from Fort Lewis were joined by representatives of the Navy, Marines and Air Force as well as non-military groups from local schools, fraternal and civic organizations. It was estimated that over 6,000 persons participated in the parade. Although President Harry Truman had signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948 calling for the desegregation of the United States' armed forces, the army did not formally announce its plans to implement the order until July of 1951. (TNT, 5/19/1950, p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two units of segregated U.S. Army troops. An African American unit is followed by a white unit in the Armed Forces Parade on May 20, 1950. This was the first Armed Forces Day parade. It was a combination of the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. It was estimated that 6,000 persons participated in the parade. Over 2,500 infantrymen of the 9th regimental combat team of the Second division and other units from Fort Lewis passed in review. Reserve units also played an important part in the event including the National Guard, Marine Corps, Naval Reserve, Army Reserve and Bellarmine R.O.T.C. (TNT, 5/22/1950, p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; African Americans--Tacoma--1950-1960; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Pausing on its way out of town is the Jordan Baking Co. float on April 7, 1951. It is most likely heading for Puyallup and environs as part of the 1951 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. The flower-bedecked float had as its theme "Jordan's Bread Fresh as a Daisy" which won it second place in the Commercial Division. Jordan's, with over 100 employees, was believed to be the state's largest independent bakery and known for their high quality, prize-winning bread. The young ladies on the float are not identified but company owner, Arthur K. Jordan is standing next to the float. The woman next to him may be Mrs. Jordan. (TNT 4-8-51, A-9, alt. photograph)

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Jordan, Arthur K.;

Decorated with hundreds, if not thousands of golden daffodils, the Jordan Baking Co. float proceeded down Pacific Avenue during the 18th annual Daffodil Festival Parade on April 7, 1951. It was photographed passing the Washington Hardware Co. (922-24 Pacific) and the Stationers, Inc. (926-28). Aboard was a display of the company's familiar wrapping and a subtle reminder of the freshness of its products. Jordan's was believed to be the state's largest independent bakery and had won numerous awards for its bread. Its "Fresh As A Daisy" float won second place in the parade's Commercial Division. (TNT 4-8-51, A9-alt. photo)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Stationers, Inc. (Tacoma);

Waving to the crowds lined up on Pacific Avenue for the 1951 Daffodil Festival Parade are three Elks officials motoring along in a convertible decorated in blossoms. Driving is secretary Erling O. Johnson and in the back seat are Harold Duncan at left and Lloyd L. Wynans, right. Mr. Wynans was the current Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174. Mr. Duncan, as Leading Knight, was to succeed Mr. Wynans as Exalted Ruler later in the year.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Convertible automobiles--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Johnson, Erling O.; Duncan, Harold; Wynans, Lloyd L.; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Float #37 in the 1951 Daffodil Parade had as its theme, "Safety First." A small house, created out of daffodils and topped with shrubbery, was escorted by both a woman "fireman" and a smiling "devil." It was parked outside the Oxygen Sales & Service Co., sellers of oxygen and welding products.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade (1951 : Tacoma); Oxygen Sales & Service Co. (Tacoma);

St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company's 1951 Daffodil Parade float carried three lovely young ladies representing springtime. The float was a tribute to "Springtime" with two robins in the front, a flowering arbor, and giant butterfly wings. It was the Sweepstakes Winner that year.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Float #30, entitled "Springtime," won the Sweepstakes Award in the 1951 Daffodil Festival parade. The float had two large robins in the front and enormous butterfly wings at the rear with a young lady as part of its "body." Two other young misses carry metal watering cans as they pose next to a flowering arbor. This float was the creation of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Making a slow and careful turn onto Pacific Avenue is the prize-winning float from the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co., entitled "Springtime." Graced with two large robins and enormous butterfly wings and dressed in green, yellow and maroon colors, the float won the Sweepstakes Award in the 1951 Daffodil Festival parade.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Spectators--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Kiwanis Club's entry in the 1951 Daffodil Parade provided a somber note to the festivities in its "Freedom is not Free" theme. WWII was still a fresh memory and the country was now engulfed in the Korean War. A nurse is flanked by a sailor and soldier who stand with their weapons, overlooking a coffin and cross in a field of daffodils. Judges awarded this entry third place in the Service Club division. (TNT 4-7-51, p. 1-article)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

This daffodil-covered "zoo" depicting a jungle theme was just one of the 70 floats entered in the 1951 Daffodil Parade. On top of the cage were two young ladies in leopard-spotted strapless dresses while inside the cage, petting a lion created out of daffodils, is another young lady in a two-piece zebra-striped bathing suit. Crowds estimated at 100,000 lined downtown streets, fire escapes and peered out of office buildings to view the 1 1/2 hour procession. The float is pictured on Pacific Avenue passing the California Oyster House (930 Pacific) and Norman R. Smith's Men's Clothing (928 Pacific). (TNT 4-7-51, p. 1-article on parade)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); California Oyster House (Tacoma); Norman R. Smith's (Tacoma);

The Packard Bell float motored merrily along Pacific Avenue past the Washington Hardware Co. store on April 7, 1951, in the 18th annual Daffodil Festival Parade. An unidentified woman smilingly displays a handful of daffodils to the teeming crowds. A Packard Bell television set aboard the float has the photograph of the 1951 Daffodil Queen, Elaine Chipps of Puyallup, on the screen. Packard Bell was celebrating its 25th anniversary in 1951.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma); Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);