The Grand Marshal

Allan was Grand Marshal of the James J. Hill Parade in Wayzata, MN, on Sunday, September 11th.  The honor was due to his 35 years of public service to the City of Wayzata.  In August Allan had announced plans to retire as City Manager.  Retirement date?  April 20th, 2012, his 65th birthday.

Allan required me, his dutiful wife, to be at his side in  back of the fire truck.  I had my camera along!

Paul Klapprich, retired Chief of the Wayzata Fire Department, was our driver.  His job wasn’t the easiest because, although old the truck was cute as can be, it didn’t have power steering.

Some members and former members of the Wayzata City Council walked behind us.  That’s current Mayor Ken Wilcox waving for the camera.

Keith Schmieg and his dad Steve of Victoria waved at us as we saw them and they saw us going down Lake Street.  Steve’s wife Nancy is take advantage of the nearby shade on a very warm day.

Waving at his fans.

We spotted Dave Holman of Victoria and his kids in the crowd.

Lake Minnetonka was blue and picturesque on this perfect summer day.

Allan kept waving and I kept taking pictures.

Greg Rye, a popular Wayzata guy, announced us through the speaker system as we drove past him.

The mayor, former mayor and councilmembers were non-complaining but it became evident that the heat and exercise was getting a bit much.

The parade was about to end.  That’s the new Wayzata Muni (bottle shop and restaurant) in the background.

The Wayzata Fire Department brought in their ladder truck and flew the American Flag from the end of it, recognizing that it was the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

A train went through Wayzata as the parade went down Lake Street.  See the red engine?

Hi, Rita Schmieg.  Rita manages the Wayzata Bar and Grill side of the Muni.

The Chief is ready to park it!

Yup, that’s us.

Right after the parade, Allan was interviewed on camera for the local TV stations.   He’s accustomed to “winging it” and answering questions for reporters.

The stripes on one of the Wayzata fire trucks consisted of the names of all the people who were killed in the 9/11 attacks on our nation.  We found the name of Ann Nelson, our daughter Jenny’s friend at Carelton College and roommate in Uptown after graduation, who was working on a top floor of the Twin Towers.

The Military Marching Band was treated by the Wayzata Rotary to chow at the Wayzata Muni.

Gina Holman and Rita Schmieg of Victoria are managers at the Wayzata Muni.  That’s Craig Williams, also an employee of the Muni, in the cap.

That’s Rita’s squeeze, Ray Quist.  Hi, Ray.  Fun to visit with you.

Before the mayor and others spoke, everyone sang the national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

Accompaniment was provided by the Military Band.

Clarence “Casey” Rosen and his wife Betty (formerly a Velde from SW Minnesota) stopped to say hi to Allan.  Casey is a former vice president of the Wayzata Bank, now Wells Fargo.

Allan also enjoys Dr. David and Monica McGill of Wayzata.  Dr. McGill is a retired dentist.

It was fun to see Kathy and JoJo Schmieg in town.

Current Wayzata Fire Chief is Kevin Klapprich, son of Paul.

Allan is not retired yet … and so he assisted with traffic control as the Fire Department moved their truck back to the Fire Station.

The End

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