Grand Marshal thanks community

To The Eagle:

It was my pleasure to serve you as Grand Marshal for the Bald Eagle Days Festival Parade. I want to thank each of you for your support for this wonderful community activity.

There is no way that I have the words to put you into my seat for the parade. Coming down Columbia Street with my drivers, Chelsea and Ashley, and slowly approaching Main Street, the crowd noise and numbers grew with each passing few feet. My heart was bursting with pride as spectators cheered yet another Bald Eagle Day Parade. There was love and laughter on their faces and a twinkle in their eyes. This was their parade! I had difficulty holding on to my emotions as we came up to the review stand on Main Street. There was an “Army for Wahkiakum” standing and cheering, earning my ‘double fist pump’ more than a couple of times. Stopping and getting a hug from the ‘hug master’ was automatic, my in and out of town friends all knew. This was what I do best.

I want to send out a special thank you to all that participated and to the vendors who added their strength to a great happening. Also, a special thank you to the Chamber of Commerce members that worked so hard making a complex day look easy. Adding a colossal thank you for the great work of Martie-Lynn Vavoudis for taking the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest with short notice and making it a huge success for the seventh year in a row. Thank you all.

Rolly Armstrong, Grand Marshal 2014