BELLA VISTA -- Major Gen. Don Morrow, keynote speaker Friday at the annual Bella Vista Patriots Parade called Bella Vista the most patriotic city in Arkansas, which brought the cheering crowd to its feet.
"We must remember all the veterans who have served and those that made the ultimate sacrifice so that we remain free to celebrate our nation's 238 birthday," Morrow said.
"People across the nation will be grilling outdoors, swimming, shooting fireworks, having family and friends get-togethers, eating hot dogs and drinking beer. The Fourth of July is more than just hot dogs and beer, it's a celebration of this nation's willingness to volunteer to serve this county to protect our way of life and our liberty," Morrow added.
Barbara Hart Wahopec lived in California for 43 years before moving to Bella Vista. She was attending her first Patriots Parade.
"When you live in a big city, I think you have a tendency to get jaded, and you lose touch about what the holiday is all about. Since we moved here, we have met so many people who know the real value of liberty. It very refreshing," Wahopec said.
Standing next to her husband, Sharon Peterson waved a small American flag as tap dancers in red, white and blue costumes danced to a big band recording of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."
"Where else could find this?" Peterson said as she moved with the rhythm of the music.
"I'm proud of our country and Bella Vista. I love coming to these parades each year. Later we'll go to the park and join the sing-along. This is a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Forrest Strickler, 92, a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, was the grand marshal for the parade.
Strickler, a member of the Bella Vista American Legion post and commander of the color guard, walked the parade through the shopping center carrying the America flag.
"The Fourth of July is an important holiday for me. I've always been patriotic and proud to serve my county. I think it's great we do this parade every year, and the crowds just keep getting bigger and bigger, Strickler said.
Strickler was a member of one of the units surrounded during the Battle of the Bulge.
"I don't remember what unit it was. I had just been sent there because they needed a platoon sergeant. It was Christmas, snowy and cold. All the generals were taking a break because we weren't expecting any fighting," Strickler said.
The expectation turned out to be wrong. The German Army began a major attack against the Allied forces to punch though the lines, Strickler said.
"They wanted to capture our fuel dump because their tanks and other vehicles were low on gasoline. Gen. (George) Patton, moved his division from France to our location in 48 hours and stopped the German advance," the World War II veteran said.
Jim Parsons, a former lieutenant colonel in the Army, is the driving force behind the Patriots Parade.
"I think we had a bigger crowd this year than last year, which was a record-breaker with more than 1,00o attending, Parsons said.
"I do this each year for the children," Parson said pointing at several children waving small flags. "We need to promote Americanism to these children. We need to make sure they understand the cost of keeping America free and take pride in this nation."
He also believes more people are patriotic now than they were 40 years ago.
"During Vietnam, many Americans turned their backs on the soldiers fighting communism, but that has changed. We have more respect now for the members of the armed forces who are willing to defend this country," he said.
NW News on 07/05/2014