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Al Kish, Webmaster
YEAR 2004 - Festivities
Manager - Councilman Charles Bodo-
Parade Scheduling - Councilman Paul Kammer
This
year's July 4th Celebration was held on
July 5th
It will be remembered
as a bright sunny day with
temperatures in the 90's and high humidity. Councilman Charles Bodo
reported that this was the largest parade that River Bend has produced in
several years. The parade kicked off promptly at 10:00
AM from Ritter Park . A large number of River Benders turned out to
participate in the recognition of the anniversary of the founding of
America and to pay tribute to the many who lost
their lives to this cause.
A good deal of planning and effort by volunteers contributed
to the success of this event.
The first volunteers I observed were
Mayor Kirkland and Margaret Boggs setting up the chairs for the US Marine Band
Concert which was held after the parade. Kay Benda and Grace Kirkland were
busy setting up the food offerings. The River Bend Police Department
assisted by members of the Community Watch directed traffic.
Participating in this year's Independence Day Parade were (1) Chief Pratt driving Police Escort Car (2) US Marine Color Guard (3) Grand Marshall MSGT Richard McElroy (4) US Marine Corps Band from Cherry Point (5) Senator Scott Thomas and family (6) Representative Mike Gorman (7) Judge Ken Crow (8) Judge Jerry Waddell (9) Commissioner George Brown (10) Commissioner Renee Sisk (11) Commissioner Lee Allen (12) Commisioner Harper (13) Craven County Republican Party (14) Craven County Democratic Party (15) Chuck Tyson (16) Alice Underhill (17) Mike Speciale (18 Rhems Volunteer Fire Department (3 fire vehicles) (19) Cason & Kenneth Brinson (bikes) (20) Megan Downing (bike) (21) Lauren & Matthew Burns (22) River Bend Baptist Church (23) Rebekah Simpson (Gatewood Kids) (24) River Bend Country Club (25) Girl Scouts Troops 34 & 15 (26) Aaron Rosa (bag piper) (27) River Bend Garden Club (28) Pals for Paws (29) Coastal Carolina Drill Team (30) Richard Ewan (31) First Capital Antique Cars (32) Colonial Capital Rods & Classics (33) Ravishing Rebels (34) Concerned Bikers
Following the parade, the US Marine Corps Band (35
members strong under the direction of Drum Major Gunnery Sgt Michael Montoya, conducted a concert of patriotic tunes to the enjoyment of the
crowd. The food tents were open for business. A DJ then supplied
music in the parking lot playing popular music. The Chow line was long and
the music provided a soothing effect on the hungry residents. Other attractions
provided were the Horse Drill Team, Pony Rides, Face Painting, a Dunking Booth,
Moon Walk and a Cake Walk. Speaking of heat, Mayor Kirkland and Town Manager
Randy Beeman decided to add two more attractions by being dumped into the
"Dunking Pool". Actually, it was not that they wished to create a
couple of attractions, but rather a good way to cool off by being dumped in a
tub of nice cool water.
Again, this year, hamburgers and hot
dogs were served which were sold for $1.50 each. Drinks were
free. As in past years, residents provided sides. A-L Desserts - M-R Salads
S-Z Baked Beans.
I believe the BIG thing about the parade this year was the arrival of the
US Marine Band who provided spirit and a sense of pride in those in attendance. Our thanks
also to our Grand Marshall, MSGT Richard McElroy, neighbor wearing a large
number of medals on his spic and span Marine uniform who added a lot of
class to this event. Our sincere thanks to the men and women of the US Marine
Corps. You made our day. And of course we acknowledge all the work of Councilman
Charlie Bodo and his staff who put the big show all together.
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| (1) Kay Benda & Grace Kirkland (2) Sgt Herb Riegelsberger (3) Sen Scott Thomas,& Family (4) Marines Assemble | ||||
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| Barbara, MSGT Richard McElroy & Family (2) Coastal Carolina Drill Team (3) Phil Seymour, Community Watch (4) Residents | ||||
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| (1) Horse Drill Team (2) Chief Pratt-Police Escort (3) Leads off with a Roar (4) Marines Have Landed | ||||
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(1) Rep Mike Gorman
(2) Judge Ken Crow (3) Judge Jerry Waddell (4) Commissioner Renee Sisk
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On this web page you will see 70 pictures of people we met at this great event. Some pictures are not identified. If you know the identity of any of these folks, please send me an e-mail (kishal@always-online.com) Sorry I could not include more pictures but the computer will accommodate just so much.
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| (1) (2) River Bend Country Club Swim Team (3) River Bend Baptist Church (4) |
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| (1) Dave Schwerdtfeger, River Bend Garden Club (2) Pat Cooney, Pals for Paws (3) Coastal Carolina Drill Team (4) Catherine & Dick Ewan, 1986 Woody Chrysler |
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| (1) (2) (3 & 4) First Capital Antique Cars |
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| (1) & (2) First Capital Antique Cars (3) Colonial Classics Car (4) Police Escort, Bikers |
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| (1) Biker (2) Marines enter River Bend (3) Marine Transport (4) Kathleen DeYoung after being chased by Bees |
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| (1) Mayor presents award to Grand Marshall (2) Taking in the Shade (3) Mike Gorman Speaks (4) Ravishing Rebels |
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| (1) Town Manager, Randy Beeman (2) Debbie Alkoff (3) Charlie Sharpe participated in Independence Day Event |
Web Page Design By Al Kish
