Everybody Loves A Parade And We Are No Different..
 
By Public Information Officer Douglas Medley
May 5, 2012
 

It's been many years since Lexington Park saw this big of a parade and from the response of the citizens of our area they were ready for it. It was a picture perfect day on Saturday and it's like it was ordered by the parade committee to happen this way. The purpose of the parade was to celebrate the revitalization of the main highway (Maryland Route 246) that runs through the main part of Lexington Park. It has been a few years since they started the construction process but they were finally finished and everyone was ready to cut the ribbon. Everyone staged in the rear of our Lexington Park station and were under the direction of our Chaplain Keith Fairfax who made sure things were running smoothly.

There were plenty of color guards and the marching band of Great Mills High School added that special touch that only a band can do in a parade. Walking in front just behind the Navy color guard was our County Commissioners along with other dignitaries from the county and the naval air station. Following behind them were a lot of mounted riders that were riding some beautiful horses and they were followed by floats and more marching units. In the end of the parade were your faithful fire department with all of our equipment cause what is a parade if you don't have a few fire trucks.

I was happy to see all the people that had showed up and they were lined up along side Essex South then along Maryland Route 246 or as we like to call it Great Mills Road. I got to see plenty of familiar faces and it's always nice to be in your own hometown. The smiles on the faces of all the kids is special and while driving along the route I heard a lady shout out that she loved us now can you ask for anything better than that. I don't know of anything than hearing that the people that we love and protect feel the same way about us.

I was honored to have Photographer John Douglass ride along with me and he was taking pictures to have on the Southern Maryland News website ( http://smnewsnet.com ) later in the next few days. Check them out because his are much better than mine but then he is a professional or at least that's what he tells me.

The end of the parade was at the alley between Raley's Sales Center and that is where we all finished up. Kudos's out to all our firefighters who showed up and worked so hard washing and waxing the equipment and then either drove or rode along in the parade. And you know there was not a trophy to be found so it was all done for the love of our community as it should be. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
 
Units: Engine 32, Engine 33, Truck 3 Engine 91, Engine 92, Engine 93, Tower 9
 
Mutual Aid: Company 13 (Naval Air Station Patuxent River)
 
Great Mills High School Marching Band making sure they sound sharp.
Great Mills High School Marching Band making sure they sound sharp.
Horses on the back ramp and I was in charge of clean-up.
Horses on the back ramp and I was in charge of clean-up.
 
The Navy Color Guard leading off the parade.
The Navy Color Guard leading off the parade.
County, State, and Military leaders in the line of the parade.
County, State, and Military leaders in the line of the parade.
 
Just some of the beautiful horses and their riders.
Just some of the beautiful horses and their riders.
Your guess is as good as mine.
Your guess is as good as mine.
 
This was cool. Southern Maryland Electric's first truck that they used back in the day.
This was cool. Southern Maryland Electric's first truck that they used back in the day.
SMECO (Southern Maryland Electric) with some of the current equipment. Nice of them to come.
SMECO (Southern Maryland Electric) with some of the current equipment. Nice of them to come.
 
Old Man's dream. Several corvette's in the parade.
Old Man's dream. Several corvette's in the parade.
St. Mary's Gymnastic's group. I asked them for a few hand stands and they did flips for me right there on the road. Cool
St. Mary's Gymnastic's group. I asked them for a few hand stands and they did flips for me right there on the road. Cool
 
St. Mary's Hospital Health Connections truck. You see them everywhere. Stop by and get your blood pressure checked and what ever else they do in there.
St. Mary's Hospital Health Connections truck. You see them everywhere. Stop by and get your blood pressure checked and what ever else they do in there.
ROTC color guard and marching troop. Military leaders of tomorrow.
ROTC color guard and marching troop. Military leaders of tomorrow.
 
ROTC drill team did a great job. These guys know how to work those rifles.
ROTC drill team did a great job. These guys know how to work those rifles.
ROTC had a fine marching unit and they were all in step.
ROTC had a fine marching unit and they were all in step.
 
The Great Mills High School Marching Hornets. They looked very sharp.
The Great Mills High School Marching Hornets. They looked very sharp.
There drill team really got the crowd going with all their twirling and stuff.
There drill team really got the crowd going with all their twirling and stuff.
 
Great Mills High School Marching Band. Now I can tell you they got the crowd into it. They were really good.
Great Mills High School Marching Band. Now I can tell you they got the crowd into it. They were really good.
One of Lexington Park's long time members of the business community came out to show their support. Taylor Gas Company....
One of Lexington Park's long time members of the business community came out to show their support. Taylor Gas Company....
 
This was the pooper scooper truck from the St. Mary's County Met-Com I guess for the horses. Just kidding. They are also a big part of the Lexington Park Community.
This was the pooper scooper truck from the St. Mary's County Met-Com I guess for the horses. Just kidding. They are also a big part of the Lexington Park Community.
The Lexington Park Bike Brigade I guess. No sign. Could have been some kids that just wanted to join the fun.
The Lexington Park Bike Brigade I guess. No sign. Could have been some kids that just wanted to join the fun.
 
Mike's Bike mobile bike unit. This fellow is a big part of Lexington Park.
Mike's Bike mobile bike unit. This fellow is a big part of Lexington Park.
Football team bus. Patuxent River Raiders.
Football team bus. Patuxent River Raiders.
 
The two fine gentlemen running for Judge were also in attendance.
The two fine gentlemen running for Judge were also in attendance.
The new mass transit system for Lexington Park. Not really just a super cool train carrying a lot of kids for a great ride in a parade.
The new mass transit system for Lexington Park. Not really just a super cool train carrying a lot of kids for a great ride in a parade.
 
These fine young ladies were from the local brownie troop. Great Job Ladies.
These fine young ladies were from the local brownie troop. Great Job Ladies.
This was a local scout group but I didn't get the name. If they are marching in the parage carrying the American flag I'm going to get their picture and put them in the story. Fine Group.
This was a local scout group but I didn't get the name. If they are marching in the parage carrying the American flag I'm going to get their picture and put them in the story. Fine Group.
 
Bay District command unit. Just kidding of course but I didn't see any name on it.
Bay District command unit. Just kidding of course but I didn't see any name on it.
She was behind the little car. I don't know but just guessing she has the spare parts in case it breaks down.
She was behind the little car. I don't know but just guessing she has the spare parts in case it breaks down.
 
The group from the Lexington Park Methodist Church out in force.
The group from the Lexington Park Methodist Church out in force.
I told you there were a lot of them from the church. Nice...
I told you there were a lot of them from the church. Nice...
 
There's more....
There's more....
I didn't get the name of this fine looking group of young me but they were a good looking bunch.
I didn't get the name of this fine looking group of young me but they were a good looking bunch.
 
Lexington Park Rescue Squad.
Lexington Park Rescue Squad.
Color Guard of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office being lead by one of their motorcycle officers.
Color Guard of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office being lead by one of their motorcycle officers.
 
First time I have ever saw this van. About Jobs Source. Check it out.
First time I have ever saw this van. About Jobs Source. Check it out.
Church of the Ascension on Great Mills Road. Another good neighbor.
Church of the Ascension on Great Mills Road. Another good neighbor.
 
Lady Liberty from the Liberty Tax Service. I'm sure you have seen this young person dressed in the Lady Liberty outfit along Rt. 235 in California.
Lady Liberty from the Liberty Tax Service. I'm sure you have seen this young person dressed in the Lady Liberty outfit along Rt. 235 in California.
Sandals Travel Outfit. Cool Car..
Sandals Travel Outfit. Cool Car..
 
Some very nice looking motorcycles but I don't know the name of their club.
Some very nice looking motorcycles but I don't know the name of their club.
Read the sign. You had to see them to beleive them.
Read the sign. You had to see them to beleive them.
 
This was them. They did a little march go round with their book carts.
This was them. They did a little march go round with their book carts.
If I show one got to show the other one to. It's only fair...
If I show one got to show the other one to. It's only fair...
 
I don't know for sure and if someone does let me know but I think these guys were an Air Force ROTC kind of group or maybe Civil Air Patrol.
I don't know for sure and if someone does let me know but I think these guys were an Air Force ROTC kind of group or maybe Civil Air Patrol.
Another shot of them.
Another shot of them.
 
Civil Air Patrol van so I hope that is who the group was.
Civil Air Patrol van so I hope that is who the group was.
Big Car...
Big Car...
 
Little Car....
Little Car....
This was something from off the base I don't know what.
This was something from off the base I don't know what.
 
Same thing with these two rigs.
Same thing with these two rigs.
Battalion Chief 13 Chuckie Adams for NAS Fire Department.
Battalion Chief 13 Chuckie Adams for NAS Fire Department.
 
Engine 132 NAS Fire Department a frequent visitor to our first due.
Engine 132 NAS Fire Department a frequent visitor to our first due.
Haz-Mat 13 NAS Fire Department which also runs in our first due as well as all of the county on haz-mat calls. Nice Looking.
Haz-Mat 13 NAS Fire Department which also runs in our first due as well as all of the county on haz-mat calls. Nice Looking.
 
Crash 13 NAS Fire Department also provides protection to not only the airfield at Patuxent River but also runs to our county airport.
Crash 13 NAS Fire Department also provides protection to not only the airfield at Patuxent River but also runs to our county airport.
Engine 32 of the Park.
Engine 32 of the Park.
 
Engine 33 the beast of the Park.
Engine 33 the beast of the Park.
Engine 91 of the Northside.
Engine 91 of the Northside.
 
Had to look twice but that's our Fire Chief behind the wheel of Engine 91.
Had to look twice but that's our Fire Chief behind the wheel of Engine 91.
Engine 93. We got our own beast on the Northside.
Engine 93. We got our own beast on the Northside.
 
Rescue Engine 92 with Deputy Chief 9 Warren at the wheel. Must be driver practice for the officers.
Rescue Engine 92 with Deputy Chief 9 Warren at the wheel. Must be driver practice for the officers.
Truck 3 from the big house.
Truck 3 from the big house.
 
Tillerman Carl Brown working the magic on Truck 3.
Tillerman Carl Brown working the magic on Truck 3.
Tower 9 with Captain Vallandingham doing the wheeling.
Tower 9 with Captain Vallandingham doing the wheeling.