New London celebrates VFW’s 75th anniversary

Throughout the country, people celebrated the Fourth of July over the weekend, lamenting not being able to celebrate in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In New London, it has been 22 years since the last Fourth of July parade.

There was reason to celebrate this year, and not just because pandemic restrictions are easing. This year the New London Veterans of Foreign Wars post celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Mt. Pleasant resident Richard McGohan wanted to revive the parade. He called the New London Journal who put him in contact with Dianna Klaus with the VFW Auxiliary.

“I just didn’t like the non-patriotism because of the pandemic,” McGohan said.

Last year, he organized an antique tractor ride through Salem and New London for the Fourth of July.

“This year we added to it,” McGohan said.

He recalled empty streets during the ride last year.

“There wasn’t nothing,” he said.

This year there was something.

McGohan got a dozen of his tractor buddies in the Big Creek Tractor Association to ride from Mt. Pleasant, up through Trenton, across to Mount Union and down to New London for the parade with the theme “75 and Still Marching On.”

They were joined by a number of floats and an armada of firetrucks and emergency vehicles.

Up front, a pickup truck carried Klaus of the Auxiliary, VFW Post Cmdr. Dave McGregor and state Sen. Jeff Reichman.

The crowds along the parade route were sparse but enthusiastic. The most popular spot for watching the parade was in the shade of the big trees at the city park.

Before the parade, a lunch of walking tacos and a drink was served in the park where a variety of kids games were available and a bouncy house kept kids entertained until the parade started. The VFW held a bags tournament.

After the parade, McGregor proudly pointed out the charter hanging on the post wall dated May 31, 1946. The post now has 82 members, he said. He has been commander off and on for nine years since 2003.

The number of active members has been dwindling.

“We’re getting pretty old, McGregor said.

Yet those remaining are dedicated, especially in the Auxiliary. This year the Auxiliary won the Circle of Excellence Award at the state convention along with a long list of other awards including a communications award for local media reporting and runner-up for best social media and community outreach.