ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga -- With the eyes of millions of Americans on them, members of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Pipe Band will perform this year in one of the country's most recognizable Thanksgiving Day parades.
The Air Force Reserve bagpipers will march in the 80th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Stepping out with them will be members of the Air Force Academy Band, Cadet Honor Guard and Cadet Flag Squadron.
The parade will air live on NBC, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon eastern standard time. Each year it draws an estimated 2.5 million parade attendees and 44 million television viewers.
"For more than 45 years, our Pipe Band has been one of the most distinctive units of the Air Force Reserve," said Capt. Chad Steffey, commander of the Band of the Air Force Reserve. "We're proud to represent the more than 75,000 Citizen Airmen around the world.
"We're especially proud to be part of the total force marching unit in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to kick off the 60th Anniversary year of the United States Air Force."
The bagpipe band - originally formed in 1961 - represents the military as one of only two active-duty bagpipe bands. The group travels more than 100,000 miles each year to play in venues around the world. Its performances include a 13-year tradition of playing for the U.S. president and prime minister of Ireland on the steps of the U.S. Capitol every Saint Patrick's Day.
"We absolutely love playing for troops and communities around the globe," said Technical Sgt. Janis Thrift, a bagpiper with the band. "We are excited to be participating in an event that has truly become one of America's great traditions."
Macy's Department Store first began holding the parades in 1924. The tradition has continued every year except from 1942 to 1944 when the store donated rubber from the balloons to the war effort.
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)