UNPRETENTIOUS PARADE SHOWS AMERICAN PRIDE.Byline: Eric Wahlgren Daily News Staff Writer Musician Jerry Acosta supplied the tunes - a boombox blasting ``The Stars and Stripes Stars and Stripes nickname for the U.S. flag. [Am. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 8567] See : America Forever'' strapped to a kid seat on his 10-speed. Korean War Korean War, conflict between Communist and non-Communist forces in Korea from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. At the end of World War II, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into Soviet (North Korean) and U.S. (South Korean) zones of occupation. veteran Robert Coty roared up in his 1958 Army truck, providing the Fourth of July Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. pageant with the requisite military pomp POMP n. A drug used in cancer chemotherapy and composed of purinethol (6-mercaptopurine), Oncovin (vincristine sulfate), methotrexate, and prednisone. . More than 200 neighbors young and old galumphing Galumphing is a method of locomation employed by earless seals. Earless seals cannot turn their hind flippers downward, and as such they appear to be very clumsy on land, having to wriggle with their front flippers and abdominal muscles. down shaded streets with their bicycles and pets gave this small community's parade its rousing dose of heart and soul. No flashy floats. No vulturous vendors. By all accounts, this pedestrian party marking America's 221st birthday was purely a meet-and-greet the neighbors, down-home affair. ``It's really un-L.A.,'' said 38-year-old Valley Village resident Patty Gum of the colorful procession as she pushed her 2-year-old son, Addison, in a stroller. ``That's what I really like.'' Whether they were searching to reclaim a bit of small-town life or marching merely to reaffirm their patriotism, many who braved the temperatures in the high 90s said Independence Day always gives them a lot of pause. ``It reminds me I'm free as the breeze,'' said Carl Hauser, a 77-year-old Valley Village resident who rode the six-block parade route on his bicycle. ``I'm living in a great country and I appreciate it.'' Jennie Huston showed off her love for Uncle Sam Uncle Sam, name used to designate the U.S. government. The term arose in the War of 1812 and seems at first to have been used derisively by those opposed to the war. Possibly it was an expansion of the letters "U.S. by wearing the same T-shirt resembling the American flag that her mother had worn to the fabled music festival in Woodstock. ``It's a fun day to remember our country,'' said Jennie, 11, as she wheeled around the crowd on her bike festooned with streamers Streamers is a play by David Rabe. The last in his Vietnam War trilogy that began with The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel and Sticks and Bones . ``It's a fun day for fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to .'' Organized by the Valley Village Homeowners Association, this annual parade was launched four years ago after parents decided they wanted to give their children a way to celebrate the holiday. The event is a scrappy one, said organizer Gail Polevoi, funded with only about $200 to buy decorations and refreshments for the participants after the parade winds its way from Colfax Avenue School to a nearby park. ``There's no commercial involvement,'' said Polevoi, a 40-year-old magazine editor from Valley Village. ``It's just basically neighborhood people on foot.'' CAPTION(S): 5 Photos Photo: (1) Jordan Haven, 7, of Valley Village embellishes his bike and helmet for his town's July Fourth parade. Evan Yee/Daily News (2) Obscured from view, balloon vendor Steve Otis walks Valley College's Independence Day celebration. More than 10,000 people were expected. (3) Giggles the clown entertains a gaggle of youngsters on the campus of Valley College. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News (4-5) Left, a posse on horseback rides at the head of the Santa Clarita July Fourth parade. Mike McNutt of Danville, Calif., wards off the sun in patriotic style. David R. Crane/Daily News |
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