4th Of July Parade — Mark Hershey — July 12, 2021

By: Mark Hershey

My friend Carlo and I organized the recent car parade on the 4th of July. We would like to thank all those who participated in the parade. In particular, we would like to thank KHTS for lending us their famous firetruck (which was the lead vehicle in the parade), advertising the parade so people could participate or watch, and for streaming the parade live.

KHTS has supported the people of Santa Clarita Valley for several decades. They provide opportunities for people to be heard and treat everyone fairly and with dignity. KHTS has ALWAYS done what is right and often has been persecuted by haters and victocrats for doing so. Now they are being vilified by a few for supporting the parade and American principles.

Our goal for the 4th of July parade was to get 30 cars driven by people who loved our country and wanted to celebrate our nation’s birth, but we were ecstatic to have 78 cars participate.

Besides the KHTS firetruck with several patriotic local officials riding onboard, the parade had 30-40 beautiful classic cars, numerous military veteran heroes, many more decorated vehicles, and approximately 200 people. The positive energy and love for the USA was overwhelming at our gathering point while we prepared for the parade. Thank you everyone. It was a tremendous event. God bless America.

The day after the parade, I learned one of the vehicles had some version or collage of a confederate flag inside the cab, hanging on the back window.

Even though we passionately believe in the first amendment, we made a check of the cars before we left the lot because this parade was to celebrate the birth of the Greatest Nation on the Planet.

We did ask several people who displayed F-Biden flags to remove them because, again, this is not what the parade was about. We are sorry someone chose to create controversy by displaying a confederate flag that had nothing to do with this event and we feel is a hateful symbol and only generates strong negative emotions. We apologize for the pain it caused anyone.

I told potential participants that only flags promoting patriotism would be acceptable. No derogatory language or profanity could be displayed.

This same mandate was communicated on the KHTS website when advising how one could participate in the parade. I was told that the whiners also complained about the blue striped American flags, the red striped American flags, the Gadsden flag (designed in 1775 for the American Revolution and used by the Continental Marines), and about our current American flag.

For these flags, I offer no apology. I support all first responders – law enforcement, paramedics, Fire personnel, ambulance drivers, dispatchers, nurses, doctors, emergency room workers, and many more.

Furthermore, our active military and veterans are all heroes. Many have given their lives to protect us and our country in order that we may live with freedom and liberty. Never minimize the courage and duty these people have given their country. Sorry snowflakes, these people are true heroes and you are wrong to be disrespectful and hateful.

I have seen social media photos and comments where the complainers applaud the burning of the American flag on Independence Day. I think this behavior is abhorrent, but I will always support your right to free speech under the first amendment. But as a group, you appear to be ungrateful, hypocritical, spoiled children.

As one of the promotors of an event to celebrate America’s birth open to all, I was astounded by the support for this event and hope all Americans had as great of an Independence Day celebration that I enjoyed.

God Bless the United States of America

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to newstip@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.