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  • Dean Kemelgor, with brother Dallas Kemelgor, marches in place as the city of Jeffersonville ninth-annual Celebrating Freedom Parade moves along Spring Street. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

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  • Members of Highland Cub Scout Pack 4043 march down Spring Street in the ninth-annual Celebrating Freedom Parade in Jeffersonville. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

    07-05 Freedom Parade 2 wb.jpg

  • The Jeffersonville High School marching band plays the school fight song as they march in the city of Jeffersonville Celebrating Freedom Parade. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

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  • Members of Cub Scout Pack 48, Cub Scout Pack 49 and Boy Scout Troop 4010 carry an American flag down Spring Street in the city of Jeffersonville Celebrating Freedom Parade. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

    07-05 Freedom Parade 4 wb.jpg

  • A Fourth of July celebration and special tribute to veterans parade proceeds down West Seventh Street in New Albany on Wednesday evening. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

    07-05 NA parade 1 wb.jpg

  • Members of the American Legion Post 204 Sellersburg Honor Guard fire a 21-gun salute at a Fourth of July and veterans tribute in New Albany. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

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July 4, 2012

Patriot acts: Jeffersonville, New Albany parades celebrate vets and patriotism

By DANIEL SUDDEATH daniel.suddeath@newsandtribune.com

> SOUTHERN INDIANA — A steamy Independence Day drenched in sunshine didn’t avert Southern Indiana residents from attending parades in Jeffersonville and New Albany.

Spots on the sidewalk shaded by downtown building awnings were in high demand Wednesday along Spring Street in Jeffersonville. The annual Celebrating Freedom Parade featured military jeeps and organizational floats as horns from fire engines periodically sounded in the midst of the festivities.

As the procession advanced toward Warder Park, three generations of the Wise family watched as politicians tossed candy to children and the Jeffersonville High School Marching Band played to an applauding crowd.

Jeffersonville resident Patricia Minor protected her daughter, Shelley Minor, and grandson, Jaylen Minor, from the scorching sun with an umbrella.

“I just like to come down here and support everybody that’s in the parade,” Patricia Minor said.

“It’s also good for the children too,” Shelley Minor added.

Several families lined the sidewalks as the parade passed by, but Shelley estimated the crowd to be smaller than in previous years.

Just around the corner, Gwen Griggs and Gary Smith enjoyed a shady standing spot just back from the crowd off Court Avenue. Smith, a Charlestown resident, said he usually attends the Independence Day parade in Pekin but decided to come to the Jeffersonville event this year.

“I just feel like it’s an honor to be able to do it instead of a necessity,” he said.

Griggs added that she attended to show her pride in her county. She said the event also reminded her of traditions held by her family and friends for the Fourth of July.

“When we were growing up, we always went to a parade,” she said.



Inaugural parade

launched in New Albany

New Albany’s public sector organized a free concert and fireworks show at the Riverfront Amphitheater on Tuesday, as the city traditionally holds its Independence Day Celebration on July 3.

So Wednesday brought something new to New Albany, as organizers including City Councilman Dan Coffey and Floyd County Commissioner hopeful Dennis Roudenbush launched an inaugural veterans tribute parade.

Local VFW and American Legion posts participated in the parade as floats and fire engines were ushered from Cherry Street to Joe Kraft Park. There was a program at the conclusion of the parade honoring veterans who died or are considered missing in action.

Though it held its own Independence Day celebration and participated in a parade earlier in the day, The Sellersburg American Legion Post 204 Honor Guard provided a 21-gun salute at the conclusion of the program.

“It’s to honor our brothers and sisters,” said Bill Craig, commander of the post’s honor and color guard.

The New Albany Fire Department participated in the parade, and the Vintage Fire Museum and Safety Education Center provided a 1937 Ahrens Fox fire engine for the procession that was driven by Jack Monohan.

Curt Peters, president of the museum’s board, said the antique engine has been in possession of the New Albany Fire Department for 75 years as it is on loan to the museum for showcase.

Monohan and Peters agreed the parade served as another way to pay respect to service men and women.

“It’s a day to honor the veterans and remember the great history of this nation, including July 4, 1776,” Peters said.

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Participants from Parkview, Beechwood, Riverside, and Griffin recreation centers march along East Water Street following a history lesson at the Riverfront Amphitheater during their Juneteenth celebration on Tuesday afternoon in New Albany. Juneteenth is a national holiday that commemorates the end of slavery.

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