Page 6   VISIONS       Late Fall 2001

Best Display of Patriotism

   To some, just seeing the American flag and hearing the national anthem sung is an inspiring and awesome moment. Perhaps for that reason, or for other more personal ones, several volunteers spent countless hours expressing their patriotism by working on this year's Fourth of July Float.
   Following many meetings and several long debates and negotiations, the committee finally agreed on the float's theme: "Freedom to Dream".
   Once the committee had decided on the theme, the work and fun began. Parts of the float were made in different programs, with the help of many of our individuals. The phone was built at Southgate and the Space Shuttle and Computer at Zip 'N Sort.
   Once completed, the parts were brought to Virgilio's Construction and assembled on a flatbed truck donated by Butch Mangiardi.   
    On the day of the parade, it was an awesome sight to see Tom Coutherut standing proudly next to the Friendship 7 dressed as John Glenn, and Robert Hall seated at his computer as

Microsoft genius Bill Gates.
   Even more impressive than the float, shimmering red white and blue, were the more than 80 volunteers marching, waving American flags, and carrying balloons in support of this year's float and its patriotic theme.

   In the aftermath of recent national events, we should be proud and honored that our float won this year's "Most Patriotic Float Award."
   A big thanks and a hug and a kiss to all who helped in any way, but a special thanks to Sue Nykorchuk  whose "dream" it was to participate once again in the Fourth of July Parade.
    God bless our freedoms and our "Freedom to Dream."
   

Ann displays the trophy.