Veterans sought for parade

EAST LONGMEADOW Late in April the East Longmeadow July 4th Parade Committee sent out invitations to all of the organizations and individual participants from last year's parade. To date, the committee has received dozens of responses to these invitations.

A new organization that will be in this year's parade is the Polish Cavalry Squadron.

In addition to the previously announced musical groups, the Springfield Steel Drums will be back to entertain.

One of the bands that will be performing in this year's parade is the Aqua String Band. In addition to appearing in the parade, they will perform on the evening of July 3 prior to the fireworks. This concert is made possible through the courtesy of PeoplesBank.

The committee also seeks volunteers to work in the positions of banner carrier and parade marshal. Children can be banner carriers. They should be at least middle school age and can receive community service time.

Parade marshals help the committee form up and run the parade on July 4. Marshals are required to attend a meeting about the parade a couple of days prior to the parade. During the meeting, they will be notified as to where and who they will be working with and the current parade line up.

The house decorating contest will be coming. Start planning your display keeping this year's theme in mind: "Let Freedom Ring."

The committee also seeks veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. They would like to recognize these men and women for their service to the nation by having them march in the military unit at the start of the parade.

Anyone interested in either being a banner carrier, parade marshal, or who is a veteran and would like to be part of the parade, should contact Carl Ohlin at 525-2952.

This Program is supported in part by a grant from the East Longmeadow Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.