July 4 parade lacked community spirit

As a teacher, a taxpayer, a business owner, a parent and a Villa Park resident, I must admit my disappointment in the production of this year’s parade. Our hometown parade was a sloppy misrepresentation of not only our community but our country.

I was confused to see some cars drive by clearly unmarked as if they had cut in to the parade from neighboring traffic. I was saddened to see many businesses take the opportunity to advertise their business with no clear tie in to the patriotism that was supposed to be celebrated.

Villa Park is filled with many amazing family owned businesses, and I was hoping to see more of them. There were cars squealing their tires and flashing hydraulics mere feet from children chasing candy in the street. An Army truck with teens hanging out, yelling “Happy Fourth!” with no tried and true colors or decorations or anything announcing their fortune of freedom.

Meanwhile, overseas our loved ones are paying the ultimate sacrifice on a daily basis.
The United States is built upon thousands of hard-working communities just like Villa Park, and this year we have failed to honor our piece of the beautiful building block that offers democracy and fortune. We, as a community are a direct reflection of our country. I was hoping my children would see a gathering of children and veterans and everyone in between who make up our community, united, to celebrate our hard work and freedom.

But they didn’t see the the quintessential emotional investment citizens should have in their community. They didn’t feel the very basis of patriotism we need to instill in our children so they can know and understand their fortune. All they saw was rain on a parade washing translucent red, white and blue into the streets of a community somewhat distracted and a wonderful tradition mistreated.

Carly Huegelmann, Villa Park