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Veterans give a patriotic salute in Enon

Barbara J. Perenic Enon Independence Day Celebration at Enon VFW Post 8437 on Friday, July 3, 2009. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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By Kelly Mori, Staff Writer 11:12 PM Friday, July 3, 2009

Terry Miller knows exactly when he attended his first Enon Fourth of July celebration.

“It was in 1967, when I came back from the war,” the Vietnam War Marine said.

And although it’s been 42 years, the sounds and sights of fireworks still send Miller back to a unspeakable time in his life. It also fills him with a great since of pride.

“It’s really very hard to explain,” he said.

The Medway man, dressed in a Marine T-shirt and hat, joined hundreds of other citizens and veterans at the annual celebration hosted by the VFW Post 8437 and funded by both the post and area merchants.

The economy made financing this year’s celebration a challenge, but Enon merchants stepped up to the plate to help the VFW cover the costs, said Beulah Bloomfield, who, along with other auxiliary members, spent the day selling baked goods for the post.

As Bloomfield counted the proceeds from the last few sales before the fireworks began, hundreds of cars and chair-toting individuals and families snaked their way into the already crowded parking lot in hopes to find the perfect spot to watch the display.

Others choose to set up their viewing stations at Indian Valley School, where a tree-free cornfield provided a clear view of the colorful display. Others, such as Mike Graver of Cincinnati, took advantage of a visit with an Enon relative to walk over to the post to watch the event.

While it wasn’t the biggest in area, the Enon fireworks show was just right for Miller, who said fireworks put on by veterans has a more patriotic feel to it.

“At least it feels that way to me,” he said.

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We all need to personally thank the VFW post, the local businesses, and individuals who contibuted to that wonderful fireworks display this evening and to the event at the VFW!

Pam Cottrel
1:11 AM, 7/4/2009

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