Mayor Jeff Tarte shared an overview of American flag history and traditions at a special Independence Day ceremony at Cornelius-Lemley Fire Station 2 in the Jetton Cove neighborhood. (Christina Ritchie Rogers / CorneliusNews.net)

More than 70 residents of the Jetton Cove and St. Philip Square neighborhood on The Peninsula met July 4 at Cornelius-Lemley Fire Station 2 for a special Independence Day celebration and parade.

“We were not expecting this many people,” firefighter Cale Ervin said. “It’s a great turn out.”

Organized by the Jetton Cove Homeowners Association, Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte kicked off the event with an overview of the history of the American flag and the traditions surrounding it. Then, firefighters raised the flag while neighbors, other firefighters and local veterans stood for the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Jetton Cove HOA social activities director Shellie Bailey also recited an excerpt from the Gettysburg Address. The veterans present were: Charles Morgan, Dick Driscoll, Jim Sheehan, Dan Butterfield, Sam Tomanio, Jack Ryan and Bob Weitzel.

After the flag raising ceremony, firefighter Ervin took people on a tour of the station, and the trucks were open for children to climb in and explore.

The children and their parents – and even a few patriotic pets – then gathered for a parade, and walked from the station to the neighborhood pool, led by one of the fire trucks. The homeowners association awarded prizes for the most patriotic costume, most patriotic pet and patriotic bicycle, scooter, etc. at a poolside cookout after the parade.

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(photos by: Christina Ritchie Rogers / CorneliusNews.net)