Kuwait joins Americans in honoring fallen soldiers

(with photos) WASHINGTON, May 26 (KUNA) -- Kuwaitis joined thousands of Americans in honoring fallen soldiers from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom in the national memorial day parade in Washington.
Kuwaiti children waved to spectators while passing on a float preceded by a group of students from the National Union of Kuwaiti Students carrying Kuwaiti and American flags.
Kuwait's Ambassador to the United States Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Sabah, who attended the parade, told KUNA that "it is the third participation of the State of Kuwait in the annual commemoration." "Of course, the US armed forces had the bigger role in liberating Kuwait from the brutal Iraqi occupation, and, hence, our participation comes to extend our thanks and express our appreciation to them," he added.
Sheikh Salem said that the participation of students and children of Kuwait in the float "is a very good gesture from Kuwait to express once again our thanks for the US armed forces," while noting that the Kuwait Embassy in Washington in cooperation with Kuwait's Information Ministry is keen to take part every year in this ceremony.
Crossing Constitution Avenue from the National Archives to the Washington Monument, 5,000 volunteers including marching bands, active duty and retired military units, youth groups, and parade floats portrayed historic snapshots of American history.
Over 100,000 Americans came together to honor active duty military personnel and all those who died in service in this annual event, co-organized for the fifth year in Washington by the American Veterans Center and the White House Committee on Remembrance.
Featured as a Gold sponsor of the event, the State of Kuwait is participating for the second year in a row in this parade to pay tribute to Kuwaiti and American soldiers who died in the Gulf War while liberating Kuwait in 1991.
The 2009 Parade, attended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, featured presence of actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise and Baseball Hall of Famer and Navy Veteran of World War II Bob Feller, in addition to a salute to the US Navy.
At one point, the parade paused for one minute of silence to observe the national moment of remembrance.
This is a tribute to over 24 million living veterans and 1.5 million who died in service from World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Kuwait is the only Arab country represented in the parade, alongside countries like France, Taiwan, the UK, and South Vietnam.(end) jm.wsa KUNA 260904 May 09NNNN