The Fourth of July Committee for 2015 is honoring our Harvard heroes: police, firefighters, EMTs, and Department of Public Works employees. These are the men and women who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect us. They get up in the middle of the night in snow, rain, and sleet to put out fires, attend to medical emergencies, plow roads, clear fallen trees, and keep our children safe.
This year the committee is pleased to announce that Captain Frank Williams, a 38-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department, will serve as grand marshal. After serving in the Navy during World War II and studying electrical engineering at Franklin Institute in Boston, Williams was offered a volunteer firefighter position for the Boston Fire Department in 1950. He never looked back. Williams eventually retired as a decorated captain, having made numerous daring rescues during his tenure with the department.
Williams started visiting Harvard 40 years ago before moving here in 2010 to be near his daughter, Sharon Ursch. He quickly became an active participant in Council on Aging activities. The committee is honored to have him represent all the Harvard heroes who have given so much to this community.
One of this year’s Fourth of July T-shirt contest winners has a special connection with firefighters as well. Harry Burns is an upcoming fourth-grader at Hildreth Elementary School whose house was severely damaged in a fire last summer. Harry’s contest entry was a poignant depiction of the emergency vehicles that tried to save his family’s home. The other contest winner was Daisy Benson, who will be starting high school at Bromfield in the fall. Daisy’s rendition of those same vehicles was a perfect complement to Harry’s drawing.
Please join us on July 3 and 4 to honor not only our Harvard heroes but those who have come before us to fight for our independence and for the life we live today.
Friday, July 3
Fireworks at Fruitlands—$20 per car, $10 with 2015 Harvard Fourth of July T-shirt or hat.
5:00 p.m.: Gates open. Come dance to the sounds of Harvard’s own Bare Hill Band as well as No Man’s Land, Alright, Bed x Nine, and Stella Stevola. Food, ice cream, wine, beer, and nonalcoholic drinks will be available for purchase.
9:15 p.m. (sundown): Fireworks
Saturday, July 4
11:00 a.m.: Parade, including antique cars, floats, convertibles, and more! Kids with decorated bikes can participate in a contest, ride in the parade, and receive free ice cream at the field events.
12:00 p.m.: Award ceremony, flag raising, and field events in front of the library. Food and nonalcoholic drink—including ice cream and slushies—will be available for purchase.
For more information, please visit our website at Harvard4thofjuly.com.
Anne Hentz is the chairwoman and Sarah von Conta is a member of the Fourth of July Committee.
