The 12th Annual Centralia 4th of July Veterans parade saw more participation again this year which pleased organizers.
Wamac Mayor Butch Mathus served as parade chair.
“It’s getting bigger and more established. I remember our first parade we had 22-23 entries and it’s slowly growing. Tip of the hat to everybody and we are here to honor our Veterans.”
Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder along with members of the city council were among those participating.
“40 entries this year, push for more next year. And again just keep honoring the Veterans. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedom we have today. It’s another way we can show our gratitude.”
The parade Grand Marshal this year was the Honorable First Lieutenant Tom Ballagh.
“Little humbling, but we followed the POW from WWII and that is where he should have been, ahead of us.”
Ballagh referring to the last living World War II POW Wilbert ‘Vince’ Rolves of Beckemeyer who returned to ride in this year’s parade after being an earlier Grand Marshal. The Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard also surprised organizers when they returned to this year’s parade and shared the Honor Guard position in the parade with Boy Scout Troop 260.
The award winning Patriotic entries were the Prairie State Daughters of American Revolution’s float ‘Washington crossing the Delaware’. Second place went to the Jim Beasley Veterans Tribute moving ‘The Wall of Honor’.
In the Civic division, the City of Wamac’s patriotically decorated ‘Lil Toot Train, Lil American Pride’ took first and the Centralia Masonic Lodge #201 entry ‘Honoring the Brave’ took second.
In the family entry, Debbie Shoemaker with her Patriotic Jeep Wrangler took first and Chuck Lawson and his decorated golf cart took second.
Grand Marshall of the Parade Honorable 1st Lieutenant Tom Ballagh. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Scott Air Force Color Guard. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Boy Scout Troop 260 Color Guard. Photo by Pat Hodges.
The Centralia Elks Lodge presents the large US Flag at the reviewing stand. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Jim Beasley Veterans Tribute moving wall takes second place in the patriotic entries. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Wamac ‘Lil Toot Train, Lil American Pride’ takes first place in the civic division. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Centralia Masonic Lodge #201 takes second in the civic division. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The last living WW II POW in Southern Illinois Wilbert ‘Vince’ Rolves of Beckemeyer rides in the parade. Photo by Pat Hodges.
The Disabled American Veterans entry. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Centralia Police lead the parade led by other police units from the area. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Marion County Junior Miss Paisley Stanford. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Miss Marion County Fair Delaney Kell. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Miss Clinton County Fair Candace Shomaker. Photo by Pat Hodges.
There was also a car show at Fairview Park on the 4th of July. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Fairview Park car show. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
