Is it me or did I miss something? Our recent Fourth of July Parade was noticeably smaller; this is from a long-time resident of Burien who has seen it annually and even was a participant in one.

I would have thought this is something that would get incrementally larger every year, since this is a growing and recently incorporated city. This parade is one event this is a wonderful way to showcase our local area, but I was disappointed in the parade this year.

Off the top of my head I can think of many things that were lacking this year ... the antique cars, the hot rods, the humorous men with their wheelbarrows, showcasing of the fire departments, and medics, various tow truck companies, and a multitude of marching bands. I am sure that I have forgotten many other participants, others just "pop" in my head, thinking, "Wow, they weren't here this year!"

Another thing, the spacing between the parade participants was way to long; kids around me were getting bored, not to mention myself included.

I must admit I love parades. They make me nostalgic, reminding me of simpler times, kind of Norman Rockwellish, where people of all backgrounds can gather and celebrate the date of the founding of this great country.

I truly hope that we can improve on this event, I do not know actually who was in charge of the Parade, I suspect it may be Debra George from Discover Burien. If so, I might respectively say that she may have too many irons in the fire and we as a city would be better served if she would focus more on her well-paid job from the city.

Also, it appears that she may have a split alliance working for a local business as well. In her job, especially, it would seem important to appear indiscriminate and unbiased towards all merchants in Burien.

So in conclusion, I hope we can look forward to some great parades in the future that would include even more entertaining participants, especially on this date where we all can rejoice who and what we are in this truly great country.

Johannes Gunnar

Burien