About 200 people turned out June 11 to watch the Flag Day Parade that started at the Big River VFW Post 5331 in Cedar Hill and ended at the High Ridge Elks Lodge, Big River Post commander Eva Maloney said.
The 10-mile vehicle parade included about 35 entries, including firetrucks, military vehicles, classic cars and more.
“That was a good turnout,” Maloney said. “There were a lot of kids involved.”
Russell McGlade, 96, of Byrnes Mill, who was a World War II Army paratrooper, was the grand marshal.
Maloney said her favorite part of the day was “paying my respects to the World War II paratrooper and honoring him, seeing the pride in his eyes that his community wanted to acknowledge his sacrifice.”
The High Ridge Elks Lodge took first place in the parade, a 1964 1/2 Mustang took second, and third place went to the a military Jeep. The High Ridge Elks entry was a truck that pulled a trailer decorated to honor American flags, military personnel, first responders and nurses.
Each winner received a plaque.
Maloney said about 50 people attended a flag ceremony held at the VFW Post before the parade, when Elks members shared history about the American flag. Local Boy Scout Troop 535 and Girl Scout Troop 1707 served as the color guard during the ceremony.
Maloney said while she knows the history of the flag, she enjoyed listening and watching children learn about it.
“It’s presenting the younger generation with the history of the flag, and the stages the flag has gone through and the changes that took place over all the years,” she said.
Maloney said the two groups plan to hold the annual Flag Day parade again next year, but it will start at the High Ridge Elks Lodge and end at the Big River VFW.