Dover AFB helps city salute America's birthday Published July 6, 2006 By Susan Walls 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- More than 70 members of Team Dover helped our host city celebrate the birth of America Tuesday, with day-long activities, from a hometown parade to musical entertainment and a fireworks display. Hundreds of community members and visitors to the "First State," staked out spots on both sides of State Street, for the City of Dover's Independence Day Celebration parade, sponsored by the American Legion Walter L. Fox Post No. 2. At 4 p.m. sharp, the City of Dover Police Department Motorcycle Unit began to roll and gave the people what they were waiting for - a celebration of freedom! Col. Robert King, 436th Mission Support Group commander and the parade's Grand Marshall, walked the parade route behind a dark green convertible driven by his wife Ruth. Colonel King is soon transferring to Iowa State University to become the commander of the ROTC detachment there. "It was a distinct honor to have been selected to be the Grand Marshall for the American Legion Parade," said Colonel King. "It's indicative of the outstanding relationship the base and local communities have, and the common values we all share. The parade was my last official function here at Dover, and I can't think of a better memory to walk away with than being in the July 4th parade." The Dover Air Force base Honor Guard carried Old Glory and the Delaware flag in the parade. Members of the 436th Security Forces Squadron drove two Humvees and more than 40 members from various units of the Dover Air Force Base showed their patriotism as they marched in unison in their battle dress uniforms. Many of Delaware's military heroes also attended Tuesday's events. Veterans' organizations, classic cars and motorcycle enthusiasts, fire trucks, clowns, beauty queens and politicians participated in the afternoon's events. Due to the inclement weather, the evening's C-5 flyover and platform program was cancelled, but Mother Nature cleared the way in time to allow for the fireworks display, shortly after 9 p.m.