Float takes a trophy

“We just thought it would be another float in the parade, and it wasn’t until I got a message from City Hall that we were going to be featured in a patriotic closing,” Councilman Dave Weaver said. “Then it hit me: I got tears in my eyes.”

While the float didn’t receive honors, its patriotism was felt by service members, who saluted as it went by.

“It is part of the patriotism that we feel in this country, and nothing says it better than a bald eagle,” he said.

Glendale Fire Capt. Carlos Guerrero, Glendale Police Officer Alex Paul Sze and Sgt. E-35 Donnie Hunter, who received a Bronze Star Medal for Valor, got the chance to ride the float.

While Weaver said he was “momentarily disappointed” about not winning an award, he was mostly concerned with the volunteers, who would likely be upset.

Glendale’s float last year, “Sneak Preview,” won the Past President’s category for “most creative use of floral and non-floral.”

“I can’t be too upset at all,” he said. “You can’t win every year.”

Sara Talvera, her family and fellow Glendale Seventh Day Adventist church members got clear sights of the float from their seats along the parade route. They staked out their seats at 5 p.m. Thursday and slept in sleeping bags.

The chilly night was not a deterrent, she said.

“The most important reason why we come here is to support the bands from Central America,” Talvera said. “We are Latino too, so we have to support them.”