Hundreds of thousands of Americans came to watch America's 2008 National Independence Day Parade. Maybe due to rising gas prices, more people stayed local, as it seemed there were even more people attending this year's parade. The Washington Metro was packed with celebrators, leaving by the same exit. Someone in the crowd joked, "This is the only time people don't need to worry about getting lost since everybody's going to the same place; just follow the crowd."
America's 2008 National Independence Day Parade displayed its great diversity. Among the more than 90 participated teams, there were the African American Civil War Ladies Group, the Philippine contingent of the Migrant Heritage Commission, Jewish War Veterans Washington DC, Taiwanese American National Parade Group, Falun Dafa Lotus Floats & Marching Band, and the Vietnamese American Community, to name a few, who represented different ethnic backgrounds and culture diversity of America.
Rongchun Xie , the director of Taiwanese American National Parade Group, was glad to have their 40 member group attend the parade for the seventh time. He said it is a great way to show Taiwanese Americans' appreciation of the American values and their friendship with Americans, and also a good way to for Taiwanese Americans to merge into the American mainstream. He regretted that the float was too small to put more Taiwanese traditional decorations.
Mr. Tru Tran from The Vietnamese American Community stated that it was the 17th year for their group to be a part of Washington, DC's Independence Day Parade. Through their traditional costume and music, they not only wanted to share their culture, but more to show their appreciation for having freedom in America--not like his millions of Vietnamese friends who are still under "the inhuman control of the communist system."
Mindy Ge from the Falun Dafa Lotus Floats group said that it was the sixth year for their group's participation in the Washington, DC's Independence Day Parade. Through their beautiful lotus float, fairy dance and Falun Gong exercise demonstration, they would like to introduce traditional Chinese culture to this parade and also wanted to share the universal principles of Falun Dafa-Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance and help lift people's spirit.
Nicholas Zifcak, who also practices Falun Gong, said that as a Falun Dafa practitioner, he values even more the freedom in America, because the spiritual practice is banned and brutally persecuted in China.
Invited High School Bands Shined in the Independence Day Parade
Traditionally, Washington, DC's Independence Day Parade consists of invited bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military and specialty units, giant balloons, equestrian, and drill teams. Representation from all parts of the United States is the goal of the Parade National Selection Committee. Again, representative high school bands from every state in the U.S. were invited to the parade.
High school bands came from Illinois, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
Mr. Chris Villo, the director of Gadsen High School Band from New Mexico stated that the students and he were very excited, proud and happy to have this chance to come to Washington, D.C. to participate in America's National Independence Day Parade. It was the first time for a lot of students to travel outside of New Mexico, and to have the opportunity to visit the nation's capital and learn a great deal of American history, said Villo.
Villo was thrilled that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson declared 2008 July 4th Independence day as Gadsen High School Band Day.
The director of Trinidad High School Miner Band of Colorado, Mr. Mike Corro, was extremely excited about the opportunity to attend 2008 Washington, DC's Independence Day Parade. He couldn't help smiling. Trinidad High School Miner Band scored very well in Colorado state march band competition, so their band got the chance to represent Colorado to attend the parade.
"We are a tiny town people, many of us have never even flown on an airplane before, and don't even mention to have the great time to tour Washington DC and celebrate the Nation's birthday with millions people. This is awesome, we enjoyed every minute," said Corro.
Marla Sitton, director of Montezuma-Cortez High School Choir from Cortez, Colorado, was very excited to have her choir perform on the main stage of Washington, DC's Independence Day Parade. The 20 students from Montezuma-Cortez High School Choir were all thrilled for being invited to perform their song "Chattanooga Choo Choo."
Tom Liang of Falun Dafa March Band said that it was the third time for them to participate in the July 4th Independence Day Parade. They made brand new costumes and music for this parade, so as to bring the best part of Falun Dafa to millions celebrators in DC on this special day in this special place, said Liang.
People Come Long Distances to Watch the National July 4th Parade
Many watchers were like Mr. and Mrs. Savage, who came early and had everything ready for them to enjoy the parade. They had comfy chair or blanket, shady umbrella, and drink. They said that it was a tradition to watch Washington, DC's Independence Day Parade, it is a way of showing your pride to be Americans.
Mr. Colon and his whole family traveled a long distance from San Antonio, Texas, to specifically attend July 4th celebration. They start their day with watching the parade, then would spend the afternoon enjoying the cultural festivities at the Smithsonian Folk Festival and would end their July 4th by experiencing the spectacular display of fireworks at the Washington Monument.
Mr. Colon and his daughter were quite taken with the traditional Chinese style costume of Falun Dafa March Band because it was "pretty and unique."
Even young Americans like Jackson from Damascus High School, Maryland, were wanting to display their patriotism on this occasion of the America's National Independence parade. Jackson wrapped himself with American flag and his other three friends either wore a flag hat, a flag scarf or a flag shirt. They said that they would like people to know that younger generation are also proud to be Americans and value America's freedom very much.
Washington, DC's Independence Day Parade takes place annually on July 4th at 11:45 am in Washington, D.C., on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street. The Parade is co-hosted by the National Park Service and produced by Diversified Events, which is under contract to the National Park Service.
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