Sunday, May 16, 2004
For Torrance family, Armed Forces Day Parade is more personal
By Dennis Johnson Daily Breeze
Just as Mary and Lyle Moulton are about to pile together with family and friends for a huge group photo, the West High marching band comes to a halt near the couple's home along Torrance Boulevard.
Each person jockeys for position, arranging themselves and their T-shirts for maximum exposure -- the hazy Saturday afternoon sun coming down through the eucalyptus trees.
"On cue, say Garrett," shouts Mary Moulton, referring to her son, whose face adorns many of their shirts.
As directed, they all start hollering, some yelling "GARRETT," others shouting "HOO-YAH." Smiles and laughing across the board.
The shutter clicks, the group disbands and the Torrance high school's brass section strikes up a tune as the 45th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade continues on its route.
Torrance's tribute to Armed Forces Day has always been cause for celebration for the Moulton family -- their home is prime viewing ground -- especially for Garrett, who counted the day as one of his favorites.
But this year's parade came with added poignancy for the deeply patriotic family. Lance Cpl. Garrett Moulton, 23, is currently serving with the Marines in Iraq, most recently in the fierce battleground of Fallujah.
"We've always had a real sense of patriotism in this family," his mother said. "Every time I hear the national anthem, no matter where I am ... I tear up.
"This is his favorite day. This is better than his birthday, the Armed Forces Day Parade."
So a day of the year that is usually festive and lively is even more so, as more than two dozen of Garrett's relatives and friends hang outside the Moulton house to salute the passing military display and remember their own.
The group shouts "thank yous" to the World War II veterans and Pearl Harbor survivors as they passed by, inviting the whole lot of them back over after the parade for a barbecue and some beers.
On a larger scale, the thousands of spectators lining Torrance Boulevard from Crenshaw Boulevard to Madrona Avenue were doing the same, in perfect sync with the parade's theme "A Tradition of Heroes."
This year's parade honored the Navy, with Rear Adm. W. Clyde Marsh serving as its grand marshal. Each year, a different branch of the military is recognized.
The Moulton family was just one part of a huge collective of people who each year attend the parade that is touted as the largest and longest running in the country.
"Torrance is one of the few cities in the United States that has a parade and he just loves that," said Lyle Moulton of his son. "In his last letter he said he wishes he could be here for this day.
"We are so proud of these people who come out here."
Curbside, the entire Moulton gang, along with those lining the parade route, exploded into loud cheers as two military fighter jets made a low, loud pass overhead.
Besides the T-shirts emblazoned with Garrett's picture of his graduation from Camp Pendleton, a large banner spanned the length of the family's garage, giving his name, unit information and the requisite "Semper Fi."
Ryan Moulton, 24, said he just got a letter from his younger brother that said he knew he wouldn't be in town for Saturday's parade, but couldn't wait to spend next Fourth of July with them.
It went like this throughout the parade, each person celebrating the display with American flags for the passing soldiers. Up and down the street, the scene was the same.
Josh LeRoy, a longtime friend of the family, said he was shocked at first when he found out that Garrett had enlisted, but is now very proud.
LeRoy, 29, has been following a San Diego newspaper that keeps track of Camp Pendleton so he knew what was happening with Garrett's Marine unit.
"I'm very proud of him and I just want to see him back," he said. "That's all I can say without tearing up."
While a few said they were scared for their friend, nephew, brother and son -- they would be silly not to be, said his uncle Tom Astgen, a former Marine -- they all said they knew things would be OK.
"Every night he is in my prayers," said his aunt Elaine Moulton. "Every time I write a letter to him, he and his friends and everybody over there is in my prayers."
Publish Date:May 16, 2004
