The City of Montgomery was celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 4th of July parade and the weather could not have been better. As usual, the Northeast Post 630 color guard led the parade of 101 units including patriotically decorated floats, cars, trailers, buses, bikes, walkers and just about anything else that could move along the 1.7-mile route to Montgomery Park. There was a huge crowd along the route cheering and waving as the colors passed by. Kids stood in anticipation of the candy they knew was coming. Our color guard’s exchange of flags took place at the halfway point in downtown Montgomery. The crowd was respectful and voiced their approval with chants of “Thank you for your service.” It made one feel proud to be a veteran and being able to participate in the parade. A big surprise was a the passing over of 12 planes not once or twice, but three times. Each time they were in a different formation with smoke trails behind them.
The parade ended at Montgomery Park, where the city had set up for a festival. Game booths, food and drink booths, live music, a petting zoo, picnic tables and benches were all available. Our booth was busy with members conversing with many of the attendees at the festival and handing out stickers and an American Legion comic book explaining the history and meaning of the American flag. All in all, it was a good day and a good time.