Opinion: Every county in America needs a town like Lattimore

By Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent

Christine Hayes waves as others throw candy from the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church wagon float during the Lattimore 4th of July parade

OPINION – Lattimore is the small-town place to be. It really is. The 4^th of July in Lattimore felt like one of those movie towns. It almost didn’t seem real – but it was, it is.

Having just been less than two weeks out since I had a heart attack, I wanted to go to the parade but knew I had to take it easy. The chances I'll be around for the 275 celebration are slim, so might as well live it up while I can, albeit very carefully. The Wince family, who I have known for some time, let me sit in their front yard, under the shade, to watch the Independence Day parade as it slowly meandered down E Main and Price Streets; I had an excellent view from the convenience of a shaded folding chair.

Sheriff Alan Norman waves at the spectators during the Lattimore 4th of July parade, Saturday. | Chuck Thompson, Shelby Independent.

Sheriff Alan Norman was there, riding shotgun in the parade line, it was nice to see him help lead the way. There were local candidates and politicians, local small businesses and club organizations. The Shriners did their thing on the go-carts and kids and adults alike threw candy from the parade floats and music played and people waved as each entry went by.

From an 8 Series John Deere Farm tractor to one of those small old Cub Cadet lawn tractors, the parade had it all. Big and small, simple and complicated designs. Lattimore Volunteer Fire Department a.k.a Cleveland County No. 7 paraded their trucks in the parade, too.

But what made it really special wasn’t the parade entries, nor the absolutely beautiful rendition Lindy Bryson did singing The Star Spangled Banner and other beautiful songs; it wasn’t the great performance by Carolina the Band, either, although always enjoyable. It was the people.

The people are what make Lattimore so special.

Kevin Gordon, chairman of the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners, waves to the crowd during the parade.

Everywhere, I saw people that I knew and many I didn’t. I saw friends of my parents, and parents of my friends. I saw former classmates and opposing teammates that I faced across the pitch in my soccer days. There were elected officials and just leaders of the community. I saw good people I went to church with growing up and those that helped along the way to get me to grow up.

"It was an honor to participate in the Lattimore Independence Day Parade and celebrate the values that have made America the greatest nation on earth,” said Wayne King. “As we celebrated our nation's 250th anniversary, I was grateful to see so many friends and supporters celebrating our freedom together."

Wayne, Nikki and Noah King wave to the crowd during the Lattimore parade.

Lattimore Mayor Alton Beal, who also Emceed the festivities after the parade, said, “The Lattimore 4^th of July parade is always the highlight of the year, but this year is special because it’s our 25oth year and even with the heat it’s so great to see so many people turn out to celebrate this momentous occasion.”

Mayor Pro Tem of Lattimore, Jackson Martin added, “Lattimore 4^th of July is the most small-town Americana event that we hope everyone gets to experience this.”

Politics didn’t matter, your job didn’t matter and your name or place of birth didn’t matter – what did matter is that you were there for fun and fellowship and to celebrate the biggest accomplishment the world had ever seen: The Great Experiment turning 250 years old.

There wasn’t any crazy hatred – and for those that hated such a happy festive event, they didn’t show up to ruin it which was great because people weren’t there for politics or problems; they were there for what it’s all about: A celebration.

Mayor Alton Beal, right, listens as NC House Rep. Paul Scott recites The Declaration of Independence in a fiery performance.

Originally, I wasn’t going to write an opinion piece, just a regular normal news story about Lattimore’s 4^th of July parade and festivities but still recovering from a heart attack and being the only person that really works for The Shelby Independent, I had so many other things to catch up on, as I am currently still recovering, that I just decided to bypass that. It’s hard to understand unless you’ve been through it. Forgive my informality and the lateness of this report, but I’m adapting here until I recover – and moving slow at the moment.

When I got home that afternoon, I saw a social media post that said, “The 4^th of July was ruined for me because of Trump.” I felt really sorry for that person, because that’s like not attending a friend’s birthday because you don’t like their uncle. Sorry, but it’s not about you or me, it’s not about the uncle you hate, its’ about the celebration of something that you can’t get anywhere else.

Nobody has ever ruined a 4^th of July celebration for me, because it’s about the celebration of being thankful regardless of when times are good or bad.

Having survived a heart attack, feeling nauseated, getting threats from people on a regular basis comes with the territory of being a journalist, but mostly they’re just an attempt at insults, while I’m barely trying to keep the Shelby Independent afloat from going under and it almost killed me, but let’s face it - I couldn’t do this anywhere else.

Most of the angry people couldn’t express their views like they do anywhere else. I’d probably be arrested and thrown in jail for some of the things I’ve written in the opinion section as a journalist and columnist, if I were in any other country on the planet; but unlike some, I’m aware of this and don’t take it for granted.

Like most others, normal rational people, we celebrate every Independence Day the chance to always improve, to learn by trial and error and not be punished for it. For speaking out and being able to go home, for the right to express ourselves, to earn a living and be whatever we want with or without the chance to blame someone else for our shortcomings and personal failures, but also knowing our success isn't without help or our liberties even possible for without the freedoms given to us in law by the Founding Fathers in the Bill of Rights. Show me the bill of rights in another country... there isn't one. no nation mirrors the exact 1791 U.S. text and what they have has exclusions. They are not the same.

Lindy Bryson sings a beautiful rendition of The Star Spangled Banner as Old Glory flutters in the wind. | Chuck Thompson, Shelby Independent.

Maybe I see things differently than others, considering I should be dead after surviving a 100% blocked right coronary artery, but I was very grateful to witness and celebrate the 250^th birthday of The United States of America. I no longer care about the single hate-mail I might receive for this opinion piece by expressing my opinion. Why would I fear man after looking death in the face?

No place is perfect, but common sense and an understanding of the world makes me thankful to be randomly born in the greatest nation on earth. It's okay to love your country and be thankful for the opportunities it provides. Not every nation offers the same opportunities but hardships are found everywhere.

But more than anything, for someone that was easily worn-out after a couple of hours and took a nap that afternoon when I got home, the parade and festivities in Lattimore left me feeling happy. I had a full stomach from a good meal, I spoke with people I hadn't seen in a while and felt satisfied that with the right mindset it's easy to see that our best days of this Great Experiment are not behind us, but in front – and just like recovering from a serious health problem, we just have to keep a positive attitude, believe in doing what is best, use a bit of common sense and just put one foot in front of the other.

With towns like Lattimore and the spirit it holds, I know the best is yet to come.

Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent. 

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