My Memoirs - Citizen of the World

Fourth of July Chief Marshal
In 1988, the Fourth of July Committee (chaired by my good friend
Andy Vorro, now deceased), chose me to be the Chief Marshal for
the longest and most patriotic parade in the country. It was a great
honor to be bestowed the highest honor given to a resident of
Bristol, especially to a foreign-born U.S. citizen like myself.
The celebration started on June 14, Flag Day, and ended with the
fireworks on July 4 th . There were concerts every night in front of
Colt School; a contest was held to elect Miss Fourth of July, the
beautiful Kimberly Coccio. My responsibility was to preside over
all the activities during those two weeks. There was the annual 4 th
of July Ball held at Roger Williams University and the White
House Military Drill Team that was invited for the first time to
perform in Bristol. There was the traditional Grand March that
included all the members of the 4 th of July Committee, all the
Town and State dignitaries led by a master of ceremonies that
followed the Chief Marshal, ending with many patriotic songs, like
God Bless America, America the Beautiful, Stars and Stripes
Forever. It was a marvelous evening that my entire family will
never forget.
Another event that I had to sponsor as Chief Marshal was the Chief
Marshal's Reception that took place in Independence Park. I
rented an enormous red, white and blue tent and placed it in the
center of the park facing the beautiful Bristol Harbor. I invited
1400 people and hired Doug Botelho's Band. There was dancing,
champagne and plenty of hors d'oeuvres. It was an afternoon that
we thoroughly enjoyed, with all my best friends and acquaintances.
Of course the most important part of the celebration was the
famous parade that starts at 10:30 am sharp at the corner of
Chestnut and Hope Streets. Traditionally, at the beginning of the
parade, two military jets fly over Bristol to announce that the
parade has started, to the many visitors who lined the parade route.
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