Frank Lewis
PDT Staff Writer
Folks decked out in red, white and blue, waving flags, all the while battling the sweltering heat lined the parade route in South Shore, Kentucky for the annual Sons of the American Legion Fourth of July Parade.
“We put this all together every year,” Ed Porter, Commander of American Legion Post 276 said. “It’s really the SAL that puts it on. We just back them on anything they need.”
Porter said the Fourth of July has two meanings to him.
“To me it’s about the veterans and family,” Porter said. “We’ve got to take care of the veterans. We usually have a good turnout - 40&8 always shows up, and these guys here, the Vietnam veterans always show up here in Greenup County.”
Sitting in cars moving slowly along the route were two bonafide American heroes - Medal Of Honor recipient Ernie West waved at the crowd, who waved flags back at him - and World War II veteran Ottis Carver, who served as grand marshal for the event.
Firetrucks from several departments in the region made up a large portion of the parade, with floats mixed in.
“These floats represent our wounded veterans and our veterans of all the foreign wars,” Patty Haywood, of Post 276 Women’s Auxiliary, said. “We have always been a part of the parade. We stand behind our Legion and our veterans.”
Representative Tanya Pullin, D-98, said she decorated her bicycle about 47 years ago and rode in the parade, and she said few things have changed in the community.
“That’s one of the things I love about it,” Pullin said. “It’s still a great place to live, and good people. I love the parade, and we just don’t miss it.”
South Shore Mayor Cheryl Moore said she is proud of the participants and those who sit along the route to watch.
“Everyone comes together - the Legion - the fire department - all the community comes out for it,” Moore said. “It’s a big event.”
Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com
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