LAWRENCE ROQUE – THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Fourth of July for many — once in a lifetime for one

Local hero, Lawrence Roque, leads family festival parade

 

For many families, Fourth of July at Happy Valley Park has become a multi-generational tradition that seamlessly blends everything the holiday represents, including patriotism, nostalgia, reverence, and celebration. From afternoon baseball and parades to evening cookouts and fireworks, the Fourth of July at Happy Valley Park was yet another success, evolving over the years much like the community that partakes in it. However, this particular day meant much more for one Happy Valley local, who took center stage to lead the Fourth of July Family Festival, marking an overwhelmingly triumphant experience. Lawrence Roque, a former East coast native turned Happy Valley local was honored with the title of this year’s “Grand Marshal” at the Happy Valley Fourth of July Family Festival, leading the way for this year’s parade participants as he strolled down what’s been locally dubbed as the “longest shortest parade this side of the Mississippi.”

“I was drafted to the Army during the Korean war when I was 18 years old,” says Roque. “The last three months of my service I was actually loaned out to the Air Force driving a large truck with a large drill attached, digging post holes. It was actually fun!” Roque, who is 90 years young, went on to detail how he was asked to be a part of the Fourth of July Family Parade in the role of Grand Marshal. “I was so excited,” says Roque. “My daughter, Jennifer, sent in a photo of me at the memorial next to City Hall and, from what I hear, Mayor Ellis reached out to see if I’d like to be Grand Marshal. I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough. I really couldn’t believe that they even asked.” Roque went on to discuss the big day, arriving at the start of the route around 11:30 a.m., where members of the Army National Guard asked Roque which vehicle he wanted to ride in. “I decided to ride in the Humvee because it was open on top and I could stand,” said Roque. “I was very nervous but also very excited. It was really an honor and I loved every single minute of it. The people in Oregon — especially Happy Valley — are so friendly. I took a picture with at least 50 different people at the park once the parade was over.” Taking not one moment for granted, Roque then talked about how, after the parade, he and his wife drove around Happy Valley Park while each carrying a small basket with dog biscuits to hand out to all the furry companions taking part in the festivities, possibly taking their minds off those scary fireworks. Afterward, Grand Marshal Roque retired from the community festivities to return to his daughter’s home, taking in some much-needed family time to cap off what was a special day. “My daughter arranged a party at her house at 4 o-clock on the fourth, so after some time at the park we went back to her place and watched the Happy Valley fireworks from her home,” says Roque. “It was a day that I will never ever forget.”