As I walked along the state park trail, I didn’t know if I would participate in the annual 4th of July parade in Coralville. Wild bergamot was beginning to bloom under the heat dome that parked over the Ohio River Valley and included us. I was mindful of the effect of high temperatures and humidity on my aging frame.

When the heat wave broke on July 3, I decided to participate in the parade with the Peoples’ Coalition for Social, Environmental and Political Responsibility, which has been around for about 25 years. John and I led the entry carrying our banner, with the Veterans for Peace banner behind us. Next, a borrowed truck and trailer bedecked with signs and flags, and filled with riders from 100 Grannies, Veterans for Peace, and the Yahoo Drummers. The United Nations Association brought up the rear. We are a close-knit group.

When I arrived in the staging area, Ed from Veterans for Peace was already there, sporting a wild bergamot bloom in his straw hat. He picked it that morning from a native prairie restoration area at his assisted living facility. He was one of the boosters of participating in this parade. Why were we there? Maureen explained in an April 26 email:

I’ve been thinking along several lines, but in the end, feel that the most messages for the day that can be seen or heard by the most people always comes down to those lining the parade route — that is if you want something to occur on the 4th itself — beyond the parade it is usually a family cook-out day with few people choosing to attend a didactic event.

As the group assembled, we discussed our gardens and our lives in society. There was no shortage of conversation topics before the parade began moving.

The 90-minute route was lined with people of all ages, yet the youngest children seemed most important. When a young person stands on the road politely waving, it would be wrong not to wave back. In many ways, the parade is for the children. A couple of spectators called out my name. I couldn’t see who it was and simply waved back. Waving is a positive thing in parades.

One spectator made a comment that our entry was AI-free, which they found exceptional. It wasn’t clear to what they were specifically referring. I presume it was about the handmade signs and music provided by the Yahoo Drummers.

Before we knew it, the parade was over and I was driving home through the lakes area where wild bergamot abounds.

Each year, some parade walkers convert to riders as our members age and become infirm. I thought about how whenever I gather with long-time friends, I take a good look at them. We never know if this will be our last time together.

We are peacemakers staying active while aging together. Blessed are the peacemakers.