Congratulations to the Bristol Fourth of July Committee for an exceptional job on the parade this year. However, I was disturbed by a story that was told to me by one of the marchers in the Mt. Hope Marching Band.

As you know, it was extremely hot and many marchers succumbed to the heat.  On Hope Street, just past the Sip ’n Dip, the Mt. Hope band was playing “God Bless America” when one of the kids became faint and had to be attended to.

As they were taught, when a marcher requires medical attention, the band is to immediately stop playing so that the staff can concentrate on getting that child help.

When they stopped in the middle of the song, a large number of people in the crowd started to boo the children of our high school. This is an absolute shame. 

While I understand that this is a patriotic parade, anyone who boos our children for the sake of showing off their supposed patriotism should be ashamed of themselves. What kind of adult values the playing of a song over the welfare of our kids.

And even if you didn’t know what was happening, what kind of an adult thinks it’s ok to boo a bunch of kids marching in a parade. I’ve always thought Bristol was the ideal place to raise a child. I’m hoping whoever participated in this ridiculous moment can look at themselves and do better next time.

As for the Mt. Hope marching band, on behalf of the reasonable adults in this town, thank you for doing such a great job marching and playing in the extreme heat. We are proud of you for your talent, your dedication, and your adherence to what you were taught to keep your fellow band members safe. In that moment, you were more responsible than the adults around you.

Patricia Borgia

Bristol