FLOAT THEME:
Canines with Courage
The 5th annual Natural Balance float showcases an exact replica of the United States Military Working Dog Teams National Monument. “It is the first time in the history of our nation’s U.S. military that an animal, a dog, has been elevated to National Monument status by U.S. Congressional Law (Public Law 110-181, Section 2877).” (-John Burnam). The float theme, “Canines with Courage”, was selected to honor our nation’s four-footed hero soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen and coast guards for saving countless thousands of American lives since World War II.
“Canines with Courage” portrays four-footed heroes who go above and beyond to serve and defend our country and our freedom. This relates to the Parade theme “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” as it inspires all to reach for the skies and to live life to the fullest. The Military Working Dog Teams are trained and ready to go around the world to serve and protect.
Natural Balance is honored to salute “Canines with Courage”, the Military Working Dog Teams and the National Monument in their honor. Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods is privileged to share with everyone how magnificent these canines are and to honor them and their handlers.
FLOAT BUILDER:
Fiesta Parade Floats c/o Beverly Stansbury
FLOAT DESCRIPTION:
Height: 28 Feet
Width: 18 Feet
Length: 55 Feet
Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods salutes and gives recognition to the brave canine members of America’s armed forces that so gallantly serve our nation with this patriotic salute honoring their loyal service and heroism. Leading the float are military working dog teams and handlers. A flora replica of the bronze and marble United States Military Working Dog Teams National Monument, to be dedicated in late 2013 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, is prominently displayed beneath lush orchid laced cherry trees. Flowing floral flags of America’s armed-service branches; Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air force and Coast Guard are proudly displayed as a background to the monument. Featured on the monument are (left to right) the Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois. Guiding the float is a floral American flag displayed within in a manicured garden lined with urns of elegant red Freedom roses and framed with oversized stars. Displays of Freedom roses cascade from floral arrangements bordering this magnificent floral entry. Daytime pyrotechnics explode amid floral fireworks at the rear section of the float. This is the first time in the history of the United States military that an animal, a dog, has been elevated to National Monument status by U.S. Congressional Law. The National Monument is solely funded by sponsor and citizens donations (zero tax dollars). To be a part of this historic Monument, contributions can be made at www.naturalbalanceinc.com
The unsurpassed heroism of Military working dogs are honored in this floral salute to commemorate the United States Military Working Dog Teams National Monument to be dedicated at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in 2013. These brave animals put their lives on the line to serve and protect America and the world.
FLOWERING:
In tribute to the courageous canine military teams and the upcoming dedication of the United States Military Working Dog Teams National Monument the replicated bronze sculpture has been artistically created with golden clover seeds and stands upon a pedestal marble base of crushed white sweet rice. Garden steps created with sweet rice and ironed cornhusks frame the perimeter gardens of this magnificent entry. An American flag of vibrant red carnations, dazzling white carnations and rich blue sinuata statice leads the float with the arm-service branch flags decorated in an array of materials including coconut chips, blue sinuata statice gold strawflower petals, red carnation petals and individually installed pepper berries. Roses, American’s national flower, are prominently displayed and showcased through the float with over 35,000 vibrant red Freedom roses completing the floral displays and gardens. Floral bowls overflow with an abundance of elegant floral creations include thousands of red roses and anthuriums and white phalaenopsis orchids, Casablanca lilies, euphorbia and viburnum. Over 7,000 “Special Blush” pink dendrobium orchids have been grown exclusively for Fiesta Parade Floats to simulate floral cherry trees at the rear of the float. More than 5000 Giant oncidium orchids, with accents of yellow button mums, solidago and forsythia, create the floral fireworks
Over 7,000 “Special Blush” pink dendrobium orchids have been grown exclusively for Fiesta Parade Floats to simulate floral cherry trees at the rear of the float. Roses, American’s national flower, are prominently displayed and showcased through the float with over 35,000 vibrant red Freedom roses completing the floral displays and gardens. More than 5000 Giant oncidium orchids, with accents of yellow button mums, solidago and forsythia, create the floral fireworks.
Over 7,000 “Special Blush” pink dendrobium orchids have been grown exclusively for Fiesta Parade Floats to simulate floral cherry trees at the rear of the float
