Brandon's Fourth Of July Parade: A Grand Tradition Brought To You By The President's Roundtable - # - MyPaperNow.com

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Posted by TOWN JOURNALIST LINDA CHION KENNEY (Original Date: July 4, 2008): The Brandon Fourth of July Parade drew a ton of people looking to make good on community connections in this "stay- away from the-pump economy" of record-gasoline prices. What better way to celebrate than down the road, across the street, or "just in town" with what has become one of the state's most well-attended patriotic affairs? The parade has transcended its 50th year, as illustrated by Our Town Histories in Fifty Years Young the PowerPoint production shown at the awards presentation hosted by the parade's sponsor, the Roundtable Charities of Greater Brandon Inc., more commonly known as the President's Roundtable.

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Decorated war hero Sal Rodriguez Jr. tends to the mission at hand, handing out beads at the 50th annual Brandon Fourth of July Parade. Rodriguez has been busy since graduating from Brandon High School, with one tour in Afghanistan and three tours in Iraq. Does he think he's done his duty? "I know I did my duty," said a smiling Rodriguez, who came home three months ago. "It feels great."

Sal Rodrguez, 24, is home after four tours of duty -- three in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. His plates on his struck signify the Purple Heart he received in the line of duty. "One medal I didn't want, but now that I got it and it's all over, I'll take it," he said. As for the continuing war in Iraq, Rodriguez said, "No matter what happens we should keep on supplying our boys out there because they need it. They need it. They need as much funding as they can get. They need it right now, they need it yesterday. Guys are hurting out there. They need care boxes that let them know we care about them."

From left, Laura Terry, 10, Austin Harris, 11, Samantha Terry, 10, and Nathan Harris, 6.

With former Honorary Mayor of Brandon Dave Braun, left, and Steve Coupe, both members of AMVETS Post #44, is Sal Rodriguez, 24, home for good after four tours of duty: three in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. "It feels great," said Rodriguez, who returned home three months ago. "I'm looking at grass. It's about time." As for the Brandon Fourth of July Parade? "This is really cool," said Rodriguez, a graduate of Brandon High School.

Sal Rodrgiuez, in fatigues, joined AMVETS Post #44 for the Brandon Fourth of July Parade. "AMVETS Post 44 is the best post in the United States right now," Rodriguez said. "Red, white and blue, stars and bars flying every day."

Zach White, an incoming freshman at Riverview High School, gets set to announce the newly "elected" Honorary Mayor of Brandon. Looking on is his grandfather and owner of the sign, B. Lee Elam. Elam's offices, at the corner of Parsons Avenue and Lumsden Road, overlooks the starting poing of the annual parade.

It's official! With some $25,000 raised, Tammy Holmberg becomes this year's Honorary Mayor of Brandon. Her opponent, Limo Jake, raised some $19,000. All good, all for charity.

Zach White begins to give notice of the newly "elected" Honorary Mayor of Brandon, Tammy Holmberg. Each year the candidate who raises the most money for charity stakes claim to the honorary tribute, which in turn means a lot of ribbon-cutting appearances.

Boy Scouts from Troop 110, from left, incoming sixth-grader Mike Ryan (Progress Village Middle School), senior Mark Mayo (Riverview High), sophomore Robert Mion (homeschooled), eighth-grader Daren Condon (Mann Middle School), seventh-grader Xavier Lewis (Mann), sixth-grader Matthew Mion (homeschooled), sophomore Rhys Campbell (homeschooled), and seventh-grader Hunter Campbell (homeschooled).

Decorated war hero Sal Rodriguez Jr. tends to the mission at hand, handing out beads at the 50th annual Brandon Fourth of July Parade. Rodriguez has been busy since graduating from Brandon High School, with one tour in Afghanistan and three tours in Iraq. Does he think he's done his duty? "I know I did my duty," said a smiling Rodriguez, who came home three months ago. "It feels great."

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Keywords: july fourth brandon rodriguez of paradesal

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