I thought your readers would like to know who works annually on the Burien Independence Day Parade. Let me describe this fun and wonderful group of people.

The Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce contracts to the City to provide staffing support. President/CEO Nancy Damon does a fantastic job. We also have great sponsors: Burien Sand and Gravel, El Dorado West, Seahurst Dental Design, Puget Sound Energy, Watermark Credit Union, and media partners The Highline Times and the B-Town Blog. We can never have too many sponsors!

Burien American Legion Post #134 has carried the colors for longer than I can remember. We are proud that local Boy Scouts carry the banner and set the parade pace.

We simply could not operate without the help of George Elting and his son J.R. who have worked to make the staging happen efficiently for the last several years. Mark Weatherhogg supports George and J.R. as well as being a liaison with the Eagles who for years have provided staging assistants and pacers to walk the route and keep things moving along.

Dick Dahlgard, and Al and Ruth Ramey joined the committee to offer expertise from previous years as well as solicit participants and offer good old advice. This year, we were joined by Bill Wippel, using his wonderful voice at the microphone, to announce the various groups.

Also, we are supported by Burien Police, Burien Fire District #2, and the Burien Public Works Department. These folks make sure everything is safe and secure for a fun event. We could not work without them. They are wonderful to work with.

We look forward to seeing you on July 4th 2009.

Rose Clark

Parade Committee Member