July 4th parade, last year.

By Jim Burgin

Arlington’s July 4th parade celebrates 50 years of service to our community this week.  It has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember.  Erman Lester, my grandfather, ran a gas station in downtown Arlington, at the corner of Pecan and Abram Street, directly across from the old City hall – currently the site of a parking lot for the City of Arlington. Tillie Burgin, my mom, and Mission Arlington’s director grew up across the street, near the corner of Pecan and South streets in the downtown area.

Though the parade started in 1965, fifty years ago,  the first one I remember was the summer of 1976, when I was 15 years old.  The 1976 parade celebrated the bicentennial anniversary of America’s birth.  America had turned 200 years old that year.  It was quite a celebration, and an amazing parade.

Erman Lester’s old Gulf station was quite the place from which to view the parade. My granddad iced down various kinds of bottled soft drinks in large tubs and sold them for a quarter. He also kept plastic jars full of bubble gum which he handed out freely to the kids. Families with children watched in amazement as the various floats passed by. Adults gathered up and down Abram Street in front of the old courthouse to listen to the various presentations, and to the affirmations of Arlington’s longstanding mayor, Tom Vandergriff.

Watching the parade was then, and is today, a wonderful experience. It has become one of our favorite annual traditions. As most people know, Mission Arlington® doesn’t close, except on Christmas day.  However, on July 4th, the streets around us are closed off, for the parade, so for as far back as any of us can remember, we take a break on that morning to watch the parade together. Staff members, board members, volunteers, and a host of people from our many congregations join us for food and for the fun. It is always an exhilerating experience.  Our doors will open again to help people who need it as soon as the parade finishes.

A few years ago, SJ Stovall, former Mayor of Arlington, and the long-time board chairman of Mission Metroplex, inc., began a breakfast in honor of the summer missionaries who spend the summer with us, helping us reach people for Christ.   So, on the morning of the parade, the mission family – now years after Mayor Stovall’s passing – still gather for breakfast, beginning at 8:00 a.m. After a great meal,we watch the parade together, before we get back to work for the rest of the day.

Our spot is at the corner of Abram and West street downtown.  This year, for the first time, due to the contribution of a generous donor, we will actually have some shade. Tillie Burgin, our Director, is always at the top of the stairs there watching and waving.  If you are in the parade, look our way. If you aren’t in the parade, come by to say hello.

We love being downtown in the midst of all the people. We are grateful for the privilege we have of serving our Lord in this wonderfully generous community of people.  We can be here for the people, year after year, because you give, help, and pray.  We are grateful.

We look forward to seeing you on the fourth.