Parade pays tribute to first responders

First-responders have played a part in almost everyone’s lives at one time or another.

To celebrate the role of the first-responder, the annual Fallon Lions Club Labor Day parade is presenting an event to say “thank you” to the men and women who risk their lives to help their neighbors.

Tom Lammel, co-organizer of the parade, said this year’s theme is “Honoring our Courageous/Those who risk their lives for our safety.”

Leading this year’s parade as grand marshal is retired Sheriff Bill Lawry, who is currently second assistant chief for the Fallon/Churchill Fire Department.

The parade begins Monday at 10 a.m. at the corner of Taylor and Virginia streets (behind the Churchill County Middle School). The route heads north to the Homestead, east on A to the American Legion and down to Williams Avenue. The last leg of the parade goes south on Maine Street.

In previous years, Lammel said the parade has attracted about 150 entrants from all over western Nevada. He said Sen. Dean Heller, Congressman Mark Amodei, Gov. Brian Sandoval and Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki have verified their participation in the parade.

This is the 63rd year for the parade, and Lammel said it is the longest run-free (no entry fee) Labor Day parade in the United States.

Lammel said the Lions Club is proud to have Lawry as its grand marshal.

Lawry joined the volunteer fire department 45 years ago this month, and one of his first duties was becoming a member of the ambulance crew. Lammel said Lawry served there until 1979 and was also secretary and president of the fire department. He became second assistant chief in 1981 and then chief in 1990. Lawry served until 2002 when he retired the first time. He was re-instated January 2010 as the training officer and now serves as second assistant chief once again. He was a volunteer the entire time. Lammel, though, said many residents may know of Lawry’s second profession as a law enforcement officer. Lammel said Lawry’s other career started in 1970 as an officer of the Fallon Police Department. In 1974 he moved to the Churchill County Sheriff’s Department as undersheriff and was there for 10 years. He then was elected sheriff and served there for 18 years for a total of 32 years in Churchill County. Lawry and his wife, Theresa, have one daughter, Tammy Grace, and one grandson, Josh.

As for the parade, Lammel said participants are eligible for the President’s Award, Best Use of Theme, Most Creative, Best Youth Group, Best Civic Group, Best Business Entry, Best Mounted Individual, Best Mounted Group, Best Antique Farm Implement and Best Automobile Entry.

Lammel said each entrant, however, may have multiple vehicles and walkers. Among the groups participating are the soccer and football teams, cheerleaders, the high school band, Navy Junior ROTC cadets and car clubs.

In addition to members of the fire and police departments participating in the parade, Lammel said organizations are working on their entries.

“The Banner (Churchill Community Hospital) entry is building a great float, and Epworth United Methodist Church is also building a float,” Lammel said.

He added that his co-chair, Barbara Hertz, has been doing a good job aligning the entries for the parade.

“We have about two-thirds of what we expect,” he said of the number of entries received so far by the Lions Club. “We don’t get a lot until the last day.”

Deadline for entries is Sunday at noon.