A fine celebration

In response to your July 29 Long Island critic of Bangor’s July 4 parade, who came all the way from Ellsworth and was disappointed: I came all the way from Troy and wouldn’t have missed it. Yeah, the parade could have had more music and didn’t come up to standard compared with recent Bangor celebrations.

But our guest missed some of the special feeling we have about the 4th. I saw flags all over — the color guards, small ones in children’s hands, in public places, and the special treat of seeing them displayed in many a dooryard, porch and front door on the way to and from the parade.

That last is a very special feeling I always get in Maine on that day. And on Memorial Day. Our friend missed something. No self-conscious, bombastic display of the kind he describes on Long Island, N.Y., but a touching, heartfelt celebration of our beginnings, our history and who we are.

Mainers are in touch — even those of us who moved here from away. You needn’t worry. Here Memorial Day is somber (with flags); the Fourth is a happy celebration. We savor them both.

Perhaps our guest doesn’t realize that Bangor is a big small town and influences the hundreds of towns around it. We, even from the provinces, recognized and appreciated the runners, the walkers (including Joe Brennan), the marchers, the floats and what they represent, the clowns and riders throwing candy to the kids. The same thing happens all over Maine.

But the final blow — to compare us with Long Island. Do I sense some need to brag? Pul-e-e-z spare us. Why do you think most of us are here? I can’t pass it up but comparing St. Patrick’s Day in New York and the Fourth in Bangor is somehow off the mark.

He’s right about the music. Maine parades need more of it. We can go home on the 4th and make up for it on public radio and television to get our fill. But more of Souza and marching bands would be nice.

David Purdy

Troy