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Proud to be Iowans: Gowrie puts Americana on display

‘Everyone has a patriotic spirit. It makes it really fun’

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Brandi Hemesath, of Decorah, poses for a picture with her daughter, Josie Hemesath, 7, and son Landon Hemesath, 9. Josie Hemesath did her best to get her brother to smile. Brandi Hemesath and her family have enjoyed the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie for many years at their home on the corner of Market and Cottonwood Streets.

GOWRIE — For Brandi Hemesath, of Decorah, the Fourth of July parade is a chance to return home to Gowrie to spend time with family and pay tribute to the independence of America.

Hemesath grew up in a house on the corner of Market and Cottonwood streets in Gowrie.

Her family gathers there every year to celebrate Independence Day.

One tradition in particular holds a special meaning, according to Hemesath.

Hundreds of American flags representing Gowrie military veterans are displayed during the parade.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Dave Elliot’s German Shepherd, Sasha, wonders what all the fuss is about at the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday afternoon. Elliot said her buddy is the pitbull to the left, but that dog can’t get up as high. He said the dogs get plenty of fresh air throughout the day.

“A flag represents every military veteran from Gowrie who died,” she said.

Hemesath’s great-grandfather, Elmer R. Johnson, was one of those veterans whose spirit was represented by Old Glory.

Elmer Johnson served in the U.S. Army during World War I.

“They were all members of the American Legion,” Hemesath’s mother, Pauline Johnson, added.

Pauline Johnson and her husband, Richard Johnson, have lived in Gowrie their entire lives.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Ethan Nelson, 3, of Fulton, Illinois, gets a little help putting on his new Gowrie junior police department sticker badge during the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

“I was a Johnson and I married a Johnson,” Pauline Johnson said.

According to Richard Johnson, there were about 280 flags.

Pauline Johnson said volunteers go to great lengths to honor those who served.

“After they are done here, all of those flags must be folded and put back into place,” she said.

Hemesath said she appreciates the tradition.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Daniel Bacon, 13, of Harcourt, attempts to hold up his patriotic mohawk during the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning. Bacon said his mom spent two hours helping him with the hairdo.

“It’s my favorite part of the parade,” she said. “It’s patriotic. It brings tears to my eyes.”

Ray Norine, of Gowrie, was sitting near the Johnson’s home in the shade.

“I got a good spot here,” he said. “I’ll still be in the shade in a couple hours.”

He said Gowrie has always been his home.

“I was born the day after the parade and I think I’ve been to every one since,” he said. “We spend all of our Fourth of Julys here.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Peri Harmon, 4, of Fort Dodge, proudly waves the American flag on Vicki’s Dance Academy float during the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

People weren’t the only ones ready for the festivities.

Across the street, Dave Elliot’s pet German shepherd, Sasha, was poking her head through the screen of the front door window to check out the scenes.

“Her buddy is the pitbull,” he said. “I’d bring ’em out, but there’s too many people.”

As far as the damage to the screen, Elliot wasn’t worried.

“I’ve replaced the screen almost 30 times, so I am done replacing it,” Elliot said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Landon Hall, 9, of Rockwell City, adjusts his patriotic sunglasses during the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

Debbie Letcher, of Illinois, was further down the road with her family.

She traveled four hours to get to Gowrie.

“We do it every year,” she said. “We just love the little town feel and they have so much going on for everyone. We have been coming for 30 years. Everyone has a patriotic spirit. It makes it really fun.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Alex Goeders, 10, of Dayton, looks on during the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Friends Tavin Goeders, 7, left, and Wyatt Blair, 8, both of Dayton, share their enthusiasm for the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Cooper Hefley, 5, of Callender, holds his hat in his hands as the 280 flags representing fallen Gowrie military veterans are shown in the distance during the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Remington McClellan, 2, of Badger, stretches out to reel in some candy during the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
William Harrison, 1, of Fort Dodge, had his patriotic attire on for the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Webster County Chief Deputy Rod Strait passes out candy during the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1856, of Fort Dodge, ride during the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Avery Jenson, 2, front, and sister, Hannah Jenson, 4, of Algona, look for their spot for the Fourth of July parade in Gowrie Wednesday morning.

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