Celebration honors those who serve, those who support service

Jessica Uttinger/Staff photographer Elissa Cooke, 6, waves American flags at the 4th of July parade in Middletown Saturday morning, July 4, 2009.

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By Chelsey Levingston, Staff Writer 4:26 PM Saturday, July 4, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — The parade Saturday, July 4 in Middletown honored members of the military, those who support them, and even those who aren’t in the service who fight to retain the country’s independence.

“The reason is, you take back to the revolutionary war — it was regular citizens,” said Kenneth Wills, who has helped organize July Fourth and Memorial Day parades for at least 30 years.

The parade started at 10 a.m. at Rosa Parks Elementary School, continued on Verity Parkway and ended at Smith Park. Wills said about 80 units participated, including cars, floats, individuals, trucks and horses.

Key marchers were the Middletown High School Alumni Band, the Willy Wonka Summer Youth Theater and American Legion Poppy Queen Kylie Dingledine. There was also a 1950s Willy’s Jeepster driven by Susan Caldwell, an accordion player and the Butler County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol.

The Guesman family of Miamisburg and Hammon family of Trenton saluted the passing color guard. They came to see Larry Jr. and Rebecca Guesman’s son, Josh Guesman, with the summer youth theater, a group in the parade.

“I liked the band, all the Grace Baptist floats ... freedom floats,” said Rebecca Guesman.

“They represented all the veterans very well,” said Larry Guesman Sr., an Air Force Vietnam Veteran.

All the parade lacked was volunteers, some said.

“It did have some good points to it. Just the fact it showed the town and what we celebrate,” said Angelina Powell of Middletown, who tries to come every year. “It could have been better,” Powell added.

“I thought it was nice, but we needed more people to be out here watching, participating,” said Josephine Gates. “I do hope we have another one next year,” Gates said.

“Just because we were in Forbes magazine as a dying city, it doesn’t mean everything has to die,” said Monteen Gates of Middletown.

The parade has always been part of Fourth of July to honor veterans and the country, said Wills.

Midletown parade awards

The closing ceremony at Smith Park awarded a number of trophies.

Groups

• First place to Veterans of Foreign Wars

• Second to American Legion

• Third to Disabled American Veterans

Civic awards

• First place to Middletown High School’s Alumni Band

• Second to Middletown Police Department Color Guard

• Third to Kensington Place