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Cobre Valley Independence Day activities a success

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The Cobre Valley Independence Day parade and celebration of 2018 was a huge success. After a four-year absence, this year’s revival brought fresh life to our nation’s most sacred holiday in our community. In little over two months’ time, patriotic and community loving residents from across Globe-Miami put together the grand holiday event, which proved to be the longest parade since its 2009 beginning. Its success was due to the massive community response in its planning, with enthusiastic citizens, civic organizations, and self-sacrificing spirit of so many. It truly was an event for our citizens to be proud of.

The American Legion Riders, led by Rich Moran of Clear Advantage Glass, deserves our praise for the epic convoy of Harleys escorting our nation’s flag. And thanks to Horne Motors and McSpadden Ford each for the loan of a new truck from their lots, and to Udon McSpadden for purchasing the 2018 Ford Mustang convertible just in time for our Grand Marshal to ride in it.

Another of this year’s heroes is Mario Villegas, district commander of the VFW, whose hard work and dedication brought to us Sgt. Jonathan Ortega, USAF, all the way from his post in California, and our very honored guest Ysabel Ortega, World War II U.S. Army veteran. Our community was very proud to host these two great, local heroes.

This year’s event was made extra special by the brilliant musical performance of the Centennial Band and Miami High School band, led by Linda Gustafson. A new tradition was started with the Copper Cities Players performing a patriotic play following the parade. Thanks to David Rogers and the Players for bringing our sacred history to life.

We are grateful to Maile Roten for her wonderful singing of the National Anthem and her dad Bill Roten for making it happen. Thanks to Nick Jones of Maranatha Baptist Church for offering the invocation. Major Fiorella and the youth of the Globe JROTC honored our community with a splendid color guard during our opening ceremony; we are grateful for their service to their community.

Thank you also to the Center for the Arts for use of the Bandstand and electricity to operate the sound system graciously provided by American Legion Commander Kurt Knauss.

A huge debt of gratitude is due to our worthy residents that gave up time on their holiday to support the Independence Day parade and celebration. Globe Streets director John Angula and his dedicated civil servants were first on scene to close streets and direct traffic. Special thank you must be given to Al Nadar of Al’s Automotive for volunteering himself and his classic Impala convertible for Mr. Ortega, our 98-year-old World War II veteran, in the parade.

Support from our community also included Kim Bryant and Pinal Lumber, Kyle Ott and Dutchaire Heating and Cooling, Jim Sterkenburg of Globe Mobile Home Park, Carmen Casillas and her campaign for State House of Representatives, Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce, and Darren and Cheryl Bradford of Sturgeon Electric. Thanks so much to Mayor Al Gameros and Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton for their unwavering support.

Sherri Davis, David Abbott and the whole crew at the Silver Belt gave tremendous media support from start to finish. Thanks also to the local radio stations and all other media outlets for helping us get the word out.

And, last, but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you to this year’s very talented emcee, Michael Donnelly, of Educational Endeavors. We, the Independence Day Parade committee, are very humbled and proud of our community for the outpouring of support and excited for this important celebration.

We hope that excitement will only grow over the next year as we work to bring an even better community holiday full of memorable celebrating, on Thursday, July 4, 2019.