Independence Day Parade 2019!

“An Edmonds Kind of 4th”

Independence Day Parade 2019!
Vietnam vet Terry Crabtree drives WWII vet Norm Goldstein as Norm hands a flag to a young patriot.
Independence Day Parade 2019!
Ready to go! Photo by Jim Traner

 For many years, it has been the honor and privilege of our local veterans organizations, VFW Post 8870 and American Legion Post 66 to provide the opening color guard and lead the annual “Edmonds Kind of 4th” parade. 

Below we see VFW members (left to right) Dick Simmons, with the National Ensign, a well hidden Jim Murdock with the American Legion Flag, Post 8870 Sr. Vice Commander Carl Kurfess carrying the VFW colors and John Shelton holding the POW/MIA flag. Somehow it seems appropriate for John, a combat wounded Marine sniper to be aided by Fleet Marine Corps corpsman Dan Doyle. We had a good turnout from both posts and a wonderfully responsive crowd lining the street of Edmonds to cheer on the 90 parade entries. The parade announcers were also veterans and members of both posts, in the persons of VFW Post 8870 Past Commanders Jim Blossey and Mike Denton. 

Independence Day Parade 2019!
Independence Day Parade 2019!
100 year old WWII vet Buck Weaver waves to the crowd from an antique jeep.
Independence Day Parade 2019!
American Gold Star Mothers honor their fallen sons and daughters with a large group of volunteers, each carrying a banner with the photo of an individual fallen service member.
Independence Day Parade 2019!
Don Stapleton, handing out some of the more than 2000 flags distributed along the parade route.


Never Forget

Independence Day Parade 2019!