Our Fourth of July Week was one for the books! On Thursday, McCall, Daisy, and I spent our night at SCERA Park educating people on the history of Gail Halvorsen (The Candy Bomber).
It was really enjoyable sharing the Candy Bomber's history with anyone who would take the time to listen. I learned so much more about him myself! What really struck me was that after sharing two sticks of gum with thirty children through a wire fence in West Berlin, he took the initiative and made a pact with the children to bring them more candy. He didn't know what the consequences would be, but he knew he wanted to brighten the children's war-torn lives. He gathered up Hershey's Chocolate Bars and gum and dropped it to kids over a period of fourteen months. That small act of kindness created a legend and impacted not only the kids' lives, but the world. What an inspiring man.
We met this kind man who let us get up close to this restored truck. He also let us hold his gun (he never lets anyone hold his gun). :)
On Friday, the Candy Bomber flew over Orem and dropped candy in SCERA Park. Thousands of people attended and it was a moment that no one will ever forget. I'm so glad I got to be a part of this historic event!
The following day we had the opportunity to sing the national anthem at the Owlz game! Before the game started we had plenty of time to meet mascots, die-hard Owlz fans, and other fantastic people of Orem!
It was great meeting members of the baseball team and little league. They were such great sports - pun intended - for taking pictures with us.We also had a great escort, Sean, who told us where to go and what to do.
It was a little nerve-wracking singing in front of so many people, but because we had practiced it plenty of times it went pretty well!
Our Fourth of July began bright and early at the Provo parade. We scarfed down Hostess donuts and orange juice - provided by our lovely director Kim - and did our makeup on the float. After that, we visited the Disney royalty aka Hale Center Theatre actors and actresses...
The Miss Riverton Royalty
The Little Miss Lindon Royalty
The Salem Royalty
The Provo Royalty
...and many others!!
We also won the Grand Marshal Award for the Most Creative Design!! Needless to say, we were all ecstatic. #DREAMBIG
The parade was a blast! There were so many people I knew and so it was great having them cheer for us! The crowd was also fantastic because several times they asked us to spin or said, "show us your shoes!" It was really great actually interacting with them! This parade will be hard to beat!
The Fourth of July Week as Miss Orem was unparalleled. Today I am grateful for our country and its founders. Not only did they have the courage to stand up for themselves as colonists, but then they had the courage to create the Declaration of Independence and write themselves off from King George. And not only were they our founders, but they were also incredible people. For example, Thomas Jefferson practiced the violin three hours every day, ran every day, and at one time in his life would study for 12-13 hours per day. Wow. I am truly proud to be an American.
