LETTER: Guthrie Grateful for Volunteers

Harford County   sends along his appreciation for volunteer efforts in this year's Edgewood/Joppatowne Independence Day parade.

Here is the letter unedited and printed in full:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Edgewood/Joppatowne for their overwhelming response for this year’s Independence Day Parade.  It was an impressive turnout and everyone was extremely considerate of the properties of homeowner and businesses along the Parade route.

We were extremely proud to have such outstanding representatives of the U.S. Army/APG that have served our country and soon will serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.  In addition to the one and only Motorized Giant Army Helmet, we got to see the latest in Army/APG technology, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle.

Our Parade Grand Marshall was APG Garrison Commander, Colonel Orlando W. Ortiz, who is a career intelligence officer.  Councilman Dion Guthrie drove him in his well-known 1961 Corvette, which was used in the movie, “Hairspray” and also Cal Ripken, Jr. rode in the car, the day he retired from baseball, around Camden Yards.

Many participants followed Colonel Ortiz from Harford County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City, including Senator Nancy Jacobs, Delegates Susan McComas and Glenn Glass, Mr. James Reilly, Edgewood High School March Band, Ms. Sabrina Wainwright, Abingdon VFC Engine 415 and Paramedic Unit 493, the New Baltimore Twightler, the Warrior Pride Marching Band of Havre de Grace, Harford Public Library, Knight Riders Motor Club of Baltimore, Sheriff Jesse Bane and his wife, Louann, the Joppa Recreation Council, Omega Psi Phi Mariners Marching Band, Martin R. Resnick, of the famous Martin’s Catering, with the “Faces of Valor” car, Century Lions Club of Edgewood, Viper All Stars, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Democratic Central Committee, Ann’s J.E.S. Grooming, Sharing Hopeful Hearts, the Ravens Posse, Patterson Mill High School Marching Band, Edgewood Basketball Program, Thompson Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealer, Chesaco RV, Extreme Family Outreach, Maple View Baptist Church, Wal-Mart, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, God’s Truth is Marching On Mission, Baltimore All Stars Marching Unit, Giovanni’s Restaurant, Edgewood/Joppatowne Steelers Football, Joppatowne “Tiki Tigers”, Aberdeen’s 1946 Fire Engine, Community Baptist Church, C. Milton Wright High School Marching Band, Mr. Ron Parker, Mr. Robert Frisch, Board of Education Member, Harford County Deputies, Ms. Stacy Holden, Ms. Heather Ely, Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company and last but not least the Joppa/Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company.

We also MUST mention the Police from Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, and Harford County Deputies all lead by Sgt. Douglas Keithley for the organization and traffic management of the parade.

The parade went off without a hitch, with a special thanks to Chair, Dianna Guthrie, and Sue Heselton.

The Parade Committee is as follows:

• Veronica Black, Vice Chair
• Lori Eck, Treasurer
• Carol Watson, Recording Secretary
• Sue Heselton, Contracts/Media
• Councilman Dion Guthrie, Parliamentarian/County Liaison
• Rovall Washington, Community Organizer
• Reverend Tony McDonald, Faith Based Liaison
• Al Balasteri, Harford Square HOA Liaison
• Richard Harvey, Harford Square HOA Liaison
• Jane and Austin Zimmerman and Angela Lewis, Sponsors/Community Outreach
• Daniel Whittington, Youth Outreach Volunteers
• Major Mary Eilerman, Sergeant-at-Arms

Committee-at-Large:

• Ken Heselton
• Richard and Doris Carrey
• Doug Eck
• Charles Guthrie (lt.)
• Jansen Robinson, Ex-Officio
• Joe Snee and Staff, Attorney
• Frank Hajek, Auditor/CPM

And a special thank you to all the banner carriers and all the stage crew, Comcast, police and cleanup crew.  Also Pat’s Pizza and Kim and Tracy’s Ice Cream.  Also a special thanks to our two top contributors for the 2nd year in a row; Marty R. Resnick, CEO of Martin’s Catering and Clark Turner.