Drake Spence, a senior at Warren Area High School, was one of 21 delegates selected from the Eastern Territory of the Salvation Army to march in the 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

Spence was one of three people to represent the Western Pennsylvania Division.

“My experience was really great,” Spence said. “I was able to travel across the country in a plane for the first time. Surprisingly it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I was able to see many places on the coast. I was able to walk around Huntington Beach, eat some interesting food at Santa Monica, and witness the magic at Disneyland. The parade itself was very fun.”

The longstanding tradition, born in 1920, gives the Salvation Army the opportunity to share the love of Christ with tens of millions of viewers around the world. It is the longest-running consecutive marching band. Not only that, but it is the first and only religious marching band made up of more than 100 groups represented by its brass band. As the parade grew, so did the bands. The first band that marched had around 40 members, influenced by the work of prominent work of the US Army in World War I. Bands have grown into bands consisting of more than 200 members across the US and abroad. With music as a ministry, performances typically include “Amazing Grace” and “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” The Salvation Army’s participation is seen as an outreach to spectators, emphasizing its spiritual mission.

Spence has played trumpet since the fifth grade. In order to be selected to be part of the Salvation Army’s band, participation in the divisional band as well as active service in the church activities is a requirement. Spence is a senior soldier of the Salvation Army.

Spence flew out to California on Dec. 27 and returned home on Jan. 2.Upon arrival at The Lawrence M. Daley Camp, Spence met the rest of the national delegates as well as some Canadian delegates. They first spent time reviewing the music and marching as a group. The rehearsal was intense and often includes virtual sessions prior to the ones in-person. The Salvation Army’s featured band was the Potomac Band, which is from the Potomac Division in the Southern Territory (DC area).

The group marched at Biola University the day before the Rose Bowl Parade.

The parade was six and a half miles long with pouring down rain, but Spence said that the experience was still remarkable. The streets were filled with huge crowds of people cheering, despite the rain. Spence said seeing the high school and college marching bands was exciting and the horses and various floats were extraordinary.

“At the end of the parade all the participants were given free little pins,” Spence said. “We were also given a free In and Out burger which was surprisingly good. Overall my experience was great. The Salvation Army chose me to participate in this wonderful opportunity and I’m grateful that I was able to attend.”