It was another wonderful Thanksgiving Day Parade. I noticed this year that the vast majority of spectators actually rose and stood at attention as the award-winning American Legion Post 58 color guard passed by with the American flag. As a veteran, I especially appreciated this show of respect for our national flag and all that it stands for. Thanks to that color guard for volunteering to lead the parade.

I want to express my thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for putting on the parade and particularly to Sharon and Paige and to all the others involved in organizing the parade. Thanks also to all the participants and to the spectators who make the parade so enjoyable to be in.

As a member of VFW Post 7507, I want to express my thanks and gratitude to Rita and to all the members of the Arizona Classic Thunderbird Club who provide the rides for the members of the post. And a very special thanks to Wanda Sartain and her son, Jason, for bringing the battleship USS Arizona BB 39 replica float to join our VFW entry. She is such a beautiful ship and a great reminder of the great loss our country suffered on Dec. 7, 1941 during the horrific surprise attack by forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Along the parade path, I was happy to see so many participants from the Turkey Trot, another of the many events that makes this town so special and so wonderful.

The Turkey Trot and the parade both made for a great start to a very pleasant holiday weekend. Unfortunately, one sad note was the loss of Larry Moyse. Just hours earlier, at my request, he had stopped and taken a picture of me alongside the Arizona Replica float. I will miss him.