Small Town, USA
Last week friends told us about a 4th of July celebration in Lancaster, Tennessee, a tiny town about an hour away from us. Ray and I decided to meet them there this year. Mary Evelyn and her family went too. I keep telling you that there are many people in America who have “not bowed the knee to Baal” (Romans 11:4). Last night proved it again!
When I say this town is tiny, I mean tiny, but they certainly know how to celebrate the 4th of July. Lancaster has been celebrating in a big way for ten years now on the Sunday before the 4th. This year’s theme was “One Nation Under God.”
We parked beside the local United Methodist Church.
We set up our lawn chairs across from the parade announcer’s viewing stand. It was the announcer who helped us know how to pronounce Lancaster. It’s “Lanks-tur.”
The parade began when “Paul Revere” hurried through town!
The silversmith patriot was followed by other modes of transportation . . .
. . . and the color guard . . .
. . . and a military band from the Tennessee National Guard.
The 2014 Grand Marshals were 85-year-old twin gentlemen, Mr. Lancaster and Mr. Lancaster, from Lancaster. They rode in a beautiful carriage.
A main purpose of the celebration was to honor soldiers and veterans.
These men rode in a World War II jeep.
The parade included Tennessee Director of Veterans Affairs Many-Bears Grinder, a Native American.
A high school band marched in the parade, playing “God Bless America.” Uncle Sam waved to the onlookers.
No small town parade in Tennessee is complete without cars . . .
. . . and trucks . . .
. . . and at least one fire truck.
4th of July parades are great places to get in some campaigning.
These were two of several!
The parade wasn’t quite over before the rain started, but it didn’t last long. We gathered with many others on a grassy slope to listen to bluegrass music in the town’s bandstand.
“Martha Washington” sang the Star-Spangled Banner.
She included the last verse:
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
A National Guard chaplain led us in prayer twice and read from the New Testament. We enjoyed hamburgers, hotdogs, and homemade ice cream, served by volunteers. We also enjoyed the music of the talented National Guard band. A National Guard soloist ended the concert singing “God Bless the USA.”
Then we walked over to the field by the United Methodist Church to watch the fireworks show.
As the church marquis quoted:
Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:34
 We saw righteousness on Sunday night.
Sounds wonderful, Charlene! I wish every little USA town and big city would have one of these for every 4th of July…think what it would say to our children, to our government, and to the enemies of righteousness! Thanks for all the pictures too:o)—God bless the USA!