Othello's Patriot's Day honors veterans
Veterans were honored during Othello's Patriotic Parade Saturday.
OTHELLO — The Patriotic Parade was brought to a halt in front of Othello City Hall to honor active and veteran military personnel.
Boy Scouts stood in front of a military group holding signs reading, “welcome home veterans.”
OTHELLO - The Patriotic Parade was brought to a halt in front of Othello City Hall to honor active and veteran military personnel.
Boy Scouts stood in front of a military group holding signs reading, "welcome home veterans." A large crowd of people clapped and cheered for the group, waving American flags of all shapes in sizes in the air.
"This is the best parade Othello has ever put on because it brought us back to what the Fourth of July is all about," said Marilyn Mathena, Othello resident. "We don't just celebrate our independence; we celebrate the men and women who gave their lives for our independence."
Honor Guard members stood in the middle of the street facing each other as the streets went quiet. Audience members placed their hands on their hearts and fought back tears as they sang the first verse of the Star-Spangled Banner and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
"I'm very happy we were able to honor the veterans," said Pam Power, Othello resident. "I am from the Vietnam era. My brother fought in that war and I lost two friends to that war, so the part where we clapped for the men and women fighting for us during the ceremony, was the highlight for me."
Othello resident Janet Collett clapped for her brother and uncle.
"This ceremony means a lot to all of us," she said. "War touches everyone's life in some way."
Othello residents called their traditional Fourth of July celebration, "Sun Faire," but changed its name to "Patriot's Day" this year. The all-day celebration featured numerous events recognizing veterans.
Events included the parade, 5K and 10K races, a rotary breakfast and The Simplot Xbox Rock Band Competition in Lions Park. Anytime Fitness put on a fire engine pull competition to see which team pulled an engine the fastest.
Many gathered for a flag raising at Lions Park to stand by the words, "thank you," written in the grass. The words were read by people inside a U.S. Air Force Aircraft flying over the park.
June Knobel and her husband Ed drove from their home in Yakima to attend the celebration in Othello when they heard of the ways the city planned to honor veterans, they said.
"An event like this is great because it reminds us not to take our freedom for granted," June said.
Ed was moved to tears by the parade ceremony.
"I liked everything about the ceremony," he said. "I fought in the Korean War and watching the parade brought back many memories; both good and bad."
The night ended with a fireworks show sponsored by the Columbia Basin Herald, Othello Outlook and the City of Othello.
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