4. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
4A. City Manager and Police – Discuss and Provide Direction on Proposed Planning Updates for the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. Expenditure: None Name
John Wilker
Comment 01/09/2026 01:16 PM : (No Vote)
1) Keep the Parade Route the same
2) for expo location, suggest portion of courthouse parking lot by soccer field, since previous location is gone.
3) Do not change route or expo location without public hearings 4) 1pm on Monday is not a great time for public hearings
4. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
4A. City Manager and Police – Discuss and Provide Direction on Proposed Planning Updates for the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. Expenditure: None Name
Michelle K
Comment 01/09/2026 01:24 PM : (Against)
I would like to make it clear to the commission that planning a meeting in the middle of a workday is highly disrespectful. The community has made it very clear they care about this event and want to participate in the discussion and this made it impossible for most.
As for my personal opinions on the parade, my one wish is to keep the traditional route on Torrance Blvd. Cut all the extra activities that were a waste of money and don't add in a bunch of catchy new things to eat up the budget, aka drone show. I'd really like the issue of the expensive barriers to be revisited. We went for decades with zero problems until one council member decided they were necessary. One accident and somehow this expense is justified. It is not. Cutting those barriers practically cuts the parade event cost in half.
The Sears parking lot still remains empty so relocating the displays there keeps it as local as it once was plus there's plenty of room for parking and possibly the addition of a huge neighborhood BBQ type event. Sell tickets in advance if you need to but I know I would've bought lunch if it had been available when my kids were younger. I'd buy now if it meant we could keep our last longstanding Torrance tradition. It would provide, depending on how you contract, a source of income for the city regarding the event. Ask for volunteers! I'd happily stand over a grill all day long if it supported this event and the city.
Lastly, make it mainly a 1 day event. Have the run in the morning, the parade and then follow up with the equipment display and BBQ. Friday night could be the dignitary banquet but be realistic in your planning so thousands of dollars aren't wasted again.
Get rid of mixers and luncheons, nix the concert unless you can sell tickets.
I think most could appreciate that we need to pivot, that different needs need to be met, but I think most simply wanted to be part of the conversation and wish for the parade to permanently remain on Torrance Blvd.
4. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
4A. City Manager and Police – Discuss and Provide Direction on Proposed Planning Updates for the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. Expenditure: None Name
Sandra Goetz
Comment 01/11/2026 09:12 AM : (No Vote)
I would like to see the parade return to its original format, with whatever adjustments need to be made to eliminate waste of funds (too many dinners, etc) and change of space (the mall construction).
This long standing tradition to honor our country’s finest should not be degraded and given what seems to be way less thought than the Rose Float, throwing out money with what appears to be little discussion.
We need to look at better advertisement and promotion, partnering with local businesses, etc. Maybe even look at food vendors just off the parade route, like popcorn or churros, add the competition factor as mentioned at the council meeting.
Look at ways to reduce the cost of barriers, like I’ve seen sombody suggest, use city vehicles (like buses or trash trucks) in some locations so the expensive barriers are not needed at every corner. (I remember the city used vehicles to block off the mall entrances during covid shut down).
Let’s get creative!
4. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
4A. City Manager and Police – Discuss and Provide Direction on Proposed Planning Updates for the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. Expenditure: None Name
Linda
Cunningham
Comment 01/11/2026 10:20 AM : (No Vote)
This is one of the City’s best display of community and patriotism, an amazing way to come together and be one. Despite challenges and changes, you should be honoring and carrying on the tradition and history entrusted to you by our votes.
First and foremost, have you approached Westfield Del Almo to move the displays to the Sepulveda side of Del Almo? Where Sears was and is currently vacant? This would be amazing to have Hawthorne Blvd., traffic visually see the displays and stop in to see it. Even if for only this year!
Reverse the parade and go east bound Torrance Blvd to Crenshaw and have display vehicles at Wilson Park and a Park and ride to/from the new Torrance Transit Center.
Or coordinate with LACO Court and Galaxy Soccer Center and utilize Torrance Parking lots/City yard etc., (and city can relocate city vehicles to Zappirini Field.
Keep Parade on Torrance Blvd and move northbound on Medrona and have vehicle display at Columbia Park with park and ride from Civic Center and Transit Center.
Ideas:
ᲶThe AFDP Committee needs to start writing letters to all commands requesting equipment and participation in “The Nations Oldest Armed Forces Day Parade”. (From what we’re hearing that hasn’t been done yet”).
ᲶGo big, ask for silent drill team (JROTC’s competition winners of the can’t get a Military team. (And a great way to do that is start hosting a competition for High School and college RoTC units the same weekend and winner performs in the parade!) ᲶReach Out NOW to https://www.armedforcesreunions.com/
To ask units to have their reunion this weekend and feature a unit in the parade and Torrance AFD as a reunion weekend destination.
ᲶReach out to Local (SouthBay Hawthorne, El Segundo, MB) aerospace companies for sponsorships and booths at the display area to promote themselves.
ᲶPromote Torrance to local bases and have participation from local businesses to offer military discounts for the weekend for more attendees this weekend.
Reach out to AAA for an article in Westways magazine promoting the parade, history and discover Torrance feature, same with local TV.
Ჶ work with BOB HOPE USO to publicize the AFDP
ᲶReach out to all VFW, American Legion for publications to invite veterans.
ᲶReach Out to SouthBay CERT, High Schools, Explorer programs (El Camino PD) and private schools for volunteers and offer Volunteer hours for them.
Ჶ For Veterans Day in Culver City, they do a wonderful “Tribute to Heroes” with a “Field of Valor” (see link below” where we could have a fund raiser to have flags on display for a by hero. And have maybe Del Thorne Park lined with flags or Torrance Civic Center.
https://www.culvertribute.org/
The planning clock is ticking Loudly, please get to planning and working on making this years Armed Forces Day parade an amazing celebration in honor of America’s 250th Birthday a renewed commitment to the City’s history and traditions.
4. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
4A. City Manager and Police – Discuss and Provide Direction on Proposed Planning Updates for the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. Expenditure: None Name
Linda
Cunningham
Comment 01/11/2026 10:20 AM : (No Vote)
This is one of the City’s best display of community and patriotism, an amazing way to come together and be one. Despite challenges and changes, you should be honoring and carrying on the tradition and history entrusted to you by our votes.
First and foremost, have you approached Westfield Del Almo to move the displays to the Sepulveda side of Del Almo? Where Sears was and is currently vacant? This would be amazing to have Hawthorne Blvd., traffic visually see the displays and stop in to see it. Even if for only this year!
Reverse the parade and go east bound Torrance Blvd to Crenshaw and have display vehicles at Wilson Park and a Park and ride to/from the new Torrance Transit Center.
Or coordinate with LACO Court and Galaxy Soccer Center and utilize Torrance Parking lots/City yard etc., (and city can relocate city vehicles to Zappirini Field.
Keep Parade on Torrance Blvd and move northbound on Medrona and have vehicle display at Columbia Park with park and ride from Civic Center and Transit Center.
Ideas:
ᲶThe AFDP Committee needs to start writing letters to all commands requesting equipment and participation in “The Nations Oldest Armed Forces Day Parade”. (From what we’re hearing that hasn’t been done yet”).
ᲶGo big, ask for silent drill team (JROTC’s competition winners of the can’t get a Military team. (And a great way to do that is start hosting a competition for High School and college RoTC units the same weekend and winner performs in the parade!) ᲶReach Out NOW to https://www.armedforcesreunions.com/
To ask units to have their reunion this weekend and feature a unit in the parade and Torrance AFD as a reunion weekend destination.
ᲶReach out to Local (SouthBay Hawthorne, El Segundo, MB) aerospace companies for sponsorships and booths at the display area to promote themselves.
ᲶPromote Torrance to local bases and have participation from local businesses to offer military discounts for the weekend for more attendees this weekend.
Reach out to AAA for an article in Westways magazine promoting the parade, history and discover Torrance feature, same with local TV.
Ჶ work with BOB HOPE USO to publicize the AFDP
ᲶReach out to all VFW, American Legion for publications to invite veterans.
ᲶReach Out to SouthBay CERT, High Schools, Explorer programs (El Camino PD) and private schools for volunteers and offer Volunteer hours for them.
Ჶ For Veterans Day in Culver City, they do a wonderful “Tribute to Heroes” with a “Field of Valor” (see link below” where we could have a fund raiser to have flags on display for a by hero. And have maybe Del Thorne Park lined with flags or Torrance Civic Center.
https://www.culvertribute.org/
The planning clock is ticking Loudly, please get to planning and working on making this years Armed Forces Day parade an amazing celebration in honor of America’s 250th Birthday a renewed commitment to the City’s history and traditions.
4. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
4A. City Manager and Police – Discuss and Provide Direction on Proposed Planning Updates for the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. Expenditure: None Name
Susan Kearney
Serrano
Comment 01/11/2026 08:47 PM : (For)
We need to keep the Traditional Armed Forces Day Parade on Torrance Blvd. Since we seem to be starting so late, I would suggest we make contact with all military branches asap. We should include the 4 high school bands and have them play patriotic music as well as any drum and bugle corps in the area. We might want to look into Veterans groups and have them march in the parade. Advertisement is key. You may want to contact AAA and have them do an article on the parade and encourage participation for the 250th anniversary of the country.