Celebrating in style

Jose Paul Corona

As Huntington Beach firefighters walked into view, carrying 343 flags

commemorating their comrades who lost their lives in the Sept. 11

terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, parade-goers erupted into

cheers.

“USA, USA, USA,” was all that could be heard over the thunderous

applause of the crowd at the 98th annual Fourth of July Parade last week.

This year an estimated 90,000 people lined Main Street to experience

the grand parade that Surf City is famous for. But it took on even

greater meaning this year in the aftermath of Sept. 11.

Red, white and blue consumed Main Street. It seemed like everyone was

either waving a flag or wearing one.

Some of the people in attendance even dyed their hair blue to

demonstrate their love for the country. Even dogs got into the act,

wearing red, white and blue bandannas.

Residents along the parade route had gone out the day before to stock

up, as they were trapped with the best seats for the show.

Yards were decorated with flags, streamers and pictures of George

Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.

Grills were fired up and emitting smells of cooking hot dogs and

burgers. Residents climbed on top of their motor homes to get a bird’s

eye view of the parade.

“I love the parade,” Huntington Beach resident Norma Sokolowski said

in excitement as she stood clapping as the floats went past her.

A Huntington Beach resident since 1964, she has been to the parade

almost every year, she said.

“It’s just like a hometown parade,” Sokolowski added excitedly, “It’s

kind of like a community affair.”

Sokolowski’s daughter was equally enthusiastic about the parade.

“I love it,” Marcy Jo Sargenti said with a smile.

Sargenti drove all the way down from Irvine for the parade and

celebration -- not a small feat for this event.

The crowds even appreciated each other this year.

“It’s a great thing to do,” said resident Ellie Waller, “It’s just

having the community coming out and enjoying what’s best about America.”

While some hoped to catch a glimpse of the New York City Firefighters

and Port Authority officers who were participating in the parade, others

simply enjoyed watching their neighbors show their patriotism.

“It’s fun to watch the people,” said Anita Harris.

The 30-year Huntington Beach resident surveyed the scene from her lawn

chair in front of First Christian Church.

“It’s neat to see everyone dressed up in red, white and blue, I think

we need that,” she said.

Her friend Nina Rohr, who sat next to her, said she couldn’t help

thinking about how special it was for her to be able to relax and watch

the parade.

“I don’t know where else you could have the freedom, but in the United

States,” she said. “You couldn’t have this freedom in other countries.”

Americans celebrated those freedoms this year, like no other.

“Today American flags fly in neighborhoods all acrossthe county,” said

Rear Admiral Casey W. Coane, who addressed the crowd gathered to watch

the fireworks at Huntington Beach High School. “Today celebrations such

as this are more important than they have been in years.”

Although no one knows when the war will end, Coane assured the crowd

that the United States would emerge victorious.

“This war was brought to us by a group of people trying to act like a

nation state and now one thing is certain,” he said, “Osama, you picked

the wrong country.”

* JOSE PAUL CORONA covers City Hall and education. He can be reached

at (714) 965-7173 or by e-mail at o7 jose.corona@latimes.com.f7