![\"parade2015_34846\"](\"https:\/\/www.bismarckmandanblog.com\/images\/2015\/08\/parade2015_34846.jpg\")
<\/a>Here’s what it’s all about:\u00a0 the American soldier.\u00a0 After all, we’re talking about fighting for liberty.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I’m glad the parade didn’t get rained out this year.\u00a0 I miss the days, however, when everyone actually made floats.\u00a0 Yeah, trucks and tractors and military vehicles are cool…but what about the creativity?\u00a0 The most memorable participants in this year’s parade were the ones who made their own floats.\u00a0\u00a0 Of those, the ones who showed respect for the death and\/or imprisonment of those fighting for our freedom were the ones which left lasting impressions on me.\u00a0 Hopefully in future parades we’ll see that creativity return.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Okay, they’re a month overdue.\u00a0 So let me unload. Here’s what it’s all about:\u00a0 the American soldier.\u00a0 After all, we’re talking about fighting for liberty. I think this must be Plasma man or something?\u00a0\u00a0 Or is it Prostate Cancer … Continue reading <\/a>I think this must be Plasma man or something?\u00a0\u00a0 Or is it Prostate Cancer Awareness Week? Hepatitis Bob?<\/p>\n<\/a>Pony tow.<\/p>\n<\/a>Before and after.\u00a0 I love Kawasaki Green or anything approximating it.<\/p>\n<\/a>Of course, in North Dakota even July 4th has a Zamboni.\u00a0 Duh.<\/p>\n<\/a>OSHA approved?\u00a0 Maybe just for parade duty.\u00a0 This is the company that was listing cntree.com in their TV commercials on KFYR…the only problem is that it was an Indonesian site selling counterfeit shoes.\u00a0 Oops.<\/p>\n<\/a>Love a progression of matching tractors!<\/p>\n<\/a>Becks promoting their Fort Lincoln Trolley.\u00a0 Shoot, I haven’t ridden it yet this summer!\u00a0 Okay, it’s on the list.\u00a0 One noteworthy thing about this fire truck:<\/p>\n<\/a>It’s apparently a Bismarck original!<\/p>\n<\/a>Well, some are more festive than others.\u00a0 ‘MERICA.<\/p>\n<\/a>Kawasaki Green and Suzuki Blue?\u00a0 Bartlet & West knows how to get themselves featured on this website.<\/p>\n<\/a>Butcher Block always does cool floats.\u00a0 But the animated Mater wasn’t the thing that I liked the most about this year’s iteration:<\/p>\n<\/a>This is why I liked it so much.<\/p>\n<\/a>Again…a stark reminder of what freedom costs.<\/p>\n<\/a>Infuriating that any of our own would be left behind.<\/p>\n<\/a>Over $20 million PLUS staffing and operating costs?\u00a0 A “thank you” is the least<\/strong> that Mandan voters should receive.<\/p>\n<\/a>Color guard.<\/p>\n<\/a>Spry.<\/p>\n<\/a>Lawrence Welk made North Dakota the home of the bubble machine.\u00a0 This spa keeps the tradition alive.<\/p>\n<\/a>Seriously, folks.\u00a0 This is what it’s all about.<\/p>\n<\/a>It’s pink, but it can lift more than you can.<\/p>\n<\/a>Unless you’re this guy.<\/p>\n<\/a>A whole range of John Deere tractors in procession, in order by model number.<\/p>\n<\/a>I’d say the kid knows how to race.<\/p>\n<\/a>A reminder to MOVE OVER when you see a law enforcement officer with someone pulled over.\u00a0 It’s for everyone’s safety.<\/p>\n<\/a>As you can see from this<\/em> side, they’re serious.<\/p>\n<\/a>Now that<\/strong> is colorful.<\/p>\n<\/a>And of course, there’s an opportunity to shoot a couple of free throws.<\/p>\n