Dear Editor:

Contrary to the opinion of a past presidential candidate, it does not take a community to raise a child. It does, however, take a community to put on an Independence Day Celebration. The Cobre Valley community did just that this year. After a two-year hiatus, the annual traditional celebration of the birth of the American Republic returned and was bigger and better than ever, laying the groundwork for expansion and improvements in the years to come. In addition to our usual Opening Ceremonies and parade, we welcomed the Globe-Miami Gun Club to the Cobre Valley Independence Day family of weekend events. The City of Globe’s First Friday opened the weekend of celebrating, and the Cobre Valley Republican Club sponsored the first annual fireworks tailgate party at the Hilltop overlook. Adding to our Patriotic Parade Opening Ceremonies was an overload of cuteness with Rose Baca’s Patriotic Preschoolers reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in English and Spanish and singing “America the Beautiful.” “Amen,” the pro-life non-profit, was judged this year’s best-decorated float and received the $100 cash prize, sponsored by Rural Air. Many thank yous to Judge Brian Chambers and Judge Pro- Temp Mary Navarro for serving as our float competition judges.

As an event should be, it is the sum of the hard work and generous contribution of local citizens, businesses and community organizations, with the support of local government. The Cobre Valley Independence Day Celebration belongs to all of us and not any one of us. Some gave more than others, though, and a special thank you is due to the most faithful of all, the American Legion Henry Berry Post #4 of Globe. From the Legion Riders, to the second annual potluck luncheon, even hosting the Independence Day Scholarship. What was not done as an organization, individual members made significant contributions, especially Rich Moran of Clear Advantage Glass and Shon Bywater of X92.7 FM. McSpadden Ford of Globe has from the first parade and ever since been a major supporter and contributor to our celebration. Thank you to the Town of Miami for being such a welcoming, supportive and gracious home to the Patriotic Parade. Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce and our local media outlets for always being a sure support in our community.

We have so many talented, generous, faithful local citizens that contributed to our event; too many to name. A few, though, are the Broeder family of C and Ces Auction, Stephen Palmer of Miami High and the Zamora family. Thank you to the boys at Rural Air, Josh and Max, for setup and support, and Eileen Terry and Kim Bryant for invaluable assistance. Those who took time to enter the parade joined the history of our community captured in photos and videos. Those who took time to sit and watch captured the memories in their own minds and their children’s precious young experiences. Our success is amplified by the participation of such local gems as the Centennial Band and the Copper Cities Players. The professionalism of our Globe JROTC is a true asset. Thank you very much to Freeport McMoRan, and supporting organizations, for bringing back to us the great American tradition of fireworks recalling “the rockets’ red glare and the bombs bursting in air.”

Sacred days of memorial are created to preserve the memory of events vital to the life of a nation. We do not celebrate for light and transient reasons, only to create a good time, or take a day off. History shapes the future. A forgotten past is a shapeless future. We welcome you to join us in next year’s Independence Day memorial. If you would like to become a part of planning this event for 2023, contact 928-200-6348. Monthly planning meetings will begin in August. Stay tuned to this publication for meeting details.

Jesse Bryant