BELTON - Fans of the Belton July Fourth parade believe in being prepared.

Bright and early Friday morning, chairs, blankets, beach towels and canopies were placed up and down Main Street and Central Avenue saving spots for parade spectators.

Lucy Rivera’s extended family settled into a prime location, covered by two canopies, in front of the Bell County Courthouse.

Multiple generations of the Belton family attended, from seniors to tiny babies.

“We come every year,” Rivera said, “and we just keep getting bigger and bigger.”

One resourceful group had a bird’s eye view of the parade by perching in the second-story windows of a business on Central Avenue.

The festivities kicked off with a speech by Brig. Gen. Paul Wentz, commander of the 13th Sustain-ment Command (Expeditionary) from Fort Hood.

“‘We the people,’ the first three words of the Constitution, defines us as a nation,” Wentz said.

It exemplifies the freedom of those living in the United States - affording U.S. citizens the ability to choose where to live, where to worship and where to work, he said.

“We the people are a nation of immigrants who came and still come in search of freedom and to live the American dream,” Wentz said.

Wentz thanked the Central Texas communities that support the soldiers on Fort Hood.

He also paid tribute to police, fire and rescue, and health care workers who serve their communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“It’s always important to give credit where credit is due,” Wentz said. “I thank you for the credit you give to our fighting men and women, in turn each of you should feel proud of the role you play in this great nation.”

Like the soldiers of World War II, those serving in the military today are bringing freedom and democratic principals to where chaos has reigned, he said.

“Your soldiers understand the nobility of service,” Wentz said. “American soldiers have been on the frontline defending freedom since the birth of our nation.”

Wentz asked the population to remain steadfast in its support of the military, even as the news of Iraq and Afghanistan move off the front pages.

“Independence Day is a day of celebration, but it should also be a day to reflect on how fortunate we are as Americans,” he said. “Remember what it took to make us what we are today and then thank a soldier, a firefighter, a doctor, or even a lawyer.”

Following the patriotic program, the parade began with the Bell County Sheriff’s Posse, followed by Fort Hood soldiers and the Grand Marshal Berneta Peeples of the Belton Journal.

The Belton Band played “This is My County” as it made its way down the parade route.

Horses, one decorated with blue stars painted on its coat, and their riders were well represented in the parade. Ronald McDonald rode atop a Holland Volunteer Fire Department fire truck and Miss Flames were present, as were a number of people from churches, service groups and businesses.

One of the more popular floats was the big H-E-B shopping cart that hovered above its engine and was steered by one of the individuals in the basket.

County and city officials were well represented and Democrat and Republican candidates for the District 55 representative seat, Sam Murphey and Ralph Sheffield, were perched on the back of a couple of stylish vehicles.

There were ambulances and police cars and a covered wagon representing Belton Market Days.

It was a beautiful day, starting off with mild temperatures and refreshing breezes for those lucky enough to be sitting under the big oak trees on the courthouse lawn.

As the sun and temperatures rose, paper parasols in sherbet colors began to pop up in the crowd.

Rita Remmy of Harker Heights brought her mother, Nell Smith, and granddaughters, Kaitlynn, Paiton and Bailey, to the parade. The youngest spent part of the morning napping on a blanket in the shade.

Remmy said she tries to get to the Belton parade about every other year.

After the parade the festivities continued at the Festival on Nolan Creek at Yettie Polk Park.