You’ll forgive College Avenue if it needs to take a little snooze today.
Saturday, on a short stretch through that main thoroughfare, Appleton hosted a bustling farmer’s market, a Pride Promenade, and the Flag Day Parade.
What a day! What a city! What a relief that it all went off without a hitch!
“We stand together. Now more than ever!” chanted the cheerful participants of the Pride Promenade as they made their way up College Avenue.
That same theme — standing together — has been the hallmark of the Appleton Flag Day parade for 75 years.
We stood together multiple times throughout the afternoon and celebrated the “indivisible” portion of our pledge.
The two parades — one marching west just before noon, and the other heading east beginning at 2 p.m. — honored all that can be good and right in this bruised and beautiful country of ours.
We stood for our veterans, of course, and the flag they bravely defend.
We stood for the marching bands — city, high school, military, drum and bugle corps.
We stood for Mrs. Wisconsin, the dancing grannies of the Golden Gals MKE, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Elite Striders, the Midwest Shriners and so many more.
Earlier in the day, we stood and cheered on members of the LGBTQ+ community.
I’m proud to be an American who lives in a community that understands the freedom our flag represents, and is brave enough to stand up and support it.
U.S.A.!
Hats off to the Appleton Police Department as well for not only participating in the Flag Day Parade but also for keeping everyone safe and comfortable on an extraordinarily busy day on College Avenue.