Witnesses to this year’s Independence Day Celebration will tell of what fun and success the patriotic event was on Thursday, July 4. And, witnesses must take pride in the people of their community for making this success possible. Independence Day is our nation’s most sacred holiday and is not meant for spectators alone. It is the one day a year We the People celebrate the birth of the freest nation on earth, and thus everyone ought to take part.
After struggling for nearly half a year with the powers that be, the Town of Miami welcomed the annual event with warm and enthusiastic leadership, in less than a months time providing an environment where the Fourth of July could blossom into the success it was this year. The event committee wishes to give a sincere thanks to Miami Town Manager Joe Heatherly, Community Coordinator Kristy Regalado, and police representative Christine Duarte, as well as Mayor Dalley and council, for the great work and contribution they all made. Thank you to the Cobre Valley Independence Day Celebration committee for months of dedication and hard work, particularly Chuck Broeder, Chris Brusca. Russel Teide of TD-Drones donated aerial surveillance of the parade and performances. Rich Moran of Clear Advantage Glass organized the American Legion Riders, who for the seventh time escorted our nation’s flag. Stephen Palmer provided sound equipment and himself as Master of Ceremonies. Thanks also to the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce for being a drop point, and to Globe Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton and the Copper Hen for providing a celebration headquarters.
We are once again impressed by the discipline and professionalism of the Globe High School JR Reserve Officers, and especially to Sergeant Dakos for the last minute save in escorting the riderless horse, and to Bob Mounce of the Globe Stockyards for loaning Mose. Hats off to the leadership of the members of the Globe Fire Department and to Scott Hatch for standing in ceremony and ringing the bell for all those Gila County First Responders who never returned home from duty.
Once again, the Cobre Valley Independence Day came complete with soundtrack with the live performance of the Celebration Band under the leadership of Linda Gustafson and Allie Tolman. The Copper Cities Players went the extra mile in embodying the sages of America’s past in their annual performance on the street. Praise and thanks to the hard work of our musicians and performers. Thanks so much to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center, and Pinal Lumber for loaning of equipment and materials. Finally, a huge thank you to all of the local media, online, newspapers, and radio for generous coverage and precious programing space over the months leading up to this event.
And, thank you to every single family and organization that joined this year’s parade. Without you, there would be no parade. By the multitude of these thank yous and the many yet needing to be expressed, may the reader or listener understand that it takes a whole community to throw a worthy celebration, and the people of the Cobre Valley and Copper Corridor did it. Enjoy one more year of American Independence. Until next year…
