With instruments in the air and a rhythmic stepping of feet, the U.S. Navy Band Southwest and 1st Marine Division Band rounded the streets of North Beach, a neighborhood of San Francisco, participating in the city's 147th Italian Heritage Parade, Oct. 11.

For many years, the Italian Heritage Parade has occurred around the same time during San Francisco Fleet Week. The parade has its own character and history that citizens take great pride in each year.

"People will start to see what the Navy and all the military does for us every day so we can have the freedoms we enjoy," said Gus Lopez from Shriners International, an organization that participated in the parade.

Fleet Week showcases many military capabilities with various ships, tours and events for the public. The Italian Heritage Parade provides an opportunity for the military to showcase their marching bands.

"With these bands showcased, I think patriotism will really start to come out of this parade and there are a lot of people proud of what the military does," said Lopez.

As always, the parade spotlighted plenty of military marchers and bands, including the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy Band Southwest and the 1st Marine Division Band.

"San Francisco Fleet Week and the Italian Heritage Parade are great opportunities to allow the general public to see a little bit of what the military does on a daily basis," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Phoenix Spenelli, assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George. "I am proud to be a part of this event and see how excited people get when they see the military and how many different backgrounds come together."

With the help from the community of San Francisco and various sponsors, thousands see the parade every year on the city's streets. The parade this year featured 93 units of bands, marchers, vehicles, floats, dancers and equestrians, local law enforcement and Italian food and culture.

"This is my first time seeing and attending the Italian Heritage Parade, but it is definitely a sight to see," said Tim Dzinick, a parade observer from Edmonton, Canada. "The way the people of San Francisco came together and, not just embraced each other, but also the different militaries, was something special."

With the many different cultural groups that reside in San Francisco, the purpose of the parade is to celebrate the Italian heritage and the people that make the city what it is today.

While the 35th San Francisco Fleet Week came to a close Tuesday morning as the ships left port, the Navy and Marine Corps team left a lasting and positive impression on the community and the people of San Francisco.

For more information about San Francisco Fleet Week visit fleetweeksf.org.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit www.navy.mil/.