Lovingston July 4 parade celebrates America's independence

Visitors and even some Nelson County newcomers joined hundreds at the traditional Lovingston Fourth of July parade Monday morning, heralding the renowned community friendliness.

With veterans leading the way after a bell-clear rendition of the national anthem by Alex Adams, the parade reached the reviewing stand at 11:08 a.m., a procession longer than in previous years as a raft of local political candidates joined in.

“The community here is, bar none, the best I’ve ever lived in,” said nine-year resident Rob Busick, a Virginia Beach native who works with the youth ministry at Kingswood Baptist Church and coaches softball.

“People wave, and they’re polite,” he said. He was accompanied by one of his daughters, Cierra, 14, a rising sophomore and marching band member at Nelson County High School. Cierra’s sister, Destiny, 11, rode on a float, and the family (with Busick’s wife, Michelle) planned to watch the Lynchburg Hillcats game and then fireworks later Monday.

Besides emergency vehicles, the parade featured the traditional: beauty queens, political parties, classic cars and lots of campaigning.

Theresa Martin, dressed as the Statue of Liberty with a green foam crown, worked the crowd.

“I’m thinking about my father when he was in World War II,” she said, referring to George Lawhorne, who fought in Anzio in the European theater and later was wounded. “He loved the flag and respected our country.”

Some paused to reflect on the direction of the country.

“We’re just happy to be here,” said Chuck Caul, of Faber, who took his mother, Darcas Caul, 85, to the parade and awaited the first units at Front and Main streets.

Mrs. Caul was less optimistic.

“Very grim,” she said. “The economy, everybody out of work, it’s just a sad time,” Mrs. Caul said, recalling how her family lived through the Great Depression.

“I guess we have to go through it, to get to something better.”

Some came from as far as Richmond, others from Fishersville and beyond.

“I think about all of the people who have their lives on the line today, so we can sit here and enjoy it,” said Perry Coffey, a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer, whose wife, Jan, also is a retired chief.

Both wore navy blue USO shirts.

Their son, Jesse, 24, and their daughter-in-law, Heather, both are in the Marine Corps and will deploy overseas later.