Bernie Marvin

Woodsville, Orford, NH and Fairlee, VT – For these three patriotic villages that lie along a defining border created by the Connecticut River, the message to the rest of the country and the world on the nation's July 4 250th birthday was, "Happy Birthday, America!"

The weather was seasonally hot, and the massive crowds that traveled to the communities to see their parades were filled with spirit and best wishes for the country's future. Crowds strolled the sidewalks of the three parade-hosting communities, with each of the three towns hosting BBQs. Historic events and a long list of activities continued into the night, culminating in fireworks in Woodsville and Fairlee.

All along both sides of town sidewalks in Orford and Fairlee, visitors flocked an hour or more before the 11 AM parade kickoff at the Rivendell School entrance road and Route 10 area.

As always, the Orford-Fairlee July 4th Parade included a variety of local people in all types of floats, skits, and groups. A special series of floats and military vehicles were dedicated to local veterans who rode proudly as part of the parade, receiving hearty welcomes all along the way.

At the conclusion of the parade that ended in Fairlee on South Main Street beyond Wing's Market, there was a special program on the Fairlee Town Common at the Soldiers Monument and Flagpole.

For that ceremony, there was a Welcome by Bruce Taylor, Master of Ceremonies for the program. The flag was raised by American Legion members, with the National Anthem sung by Veteran Brad Shedd and his son, Blair Shedd.

There was a Historical Society Welcome by Society President Don Weaver, followed by Vermont State Representative Monique Priestley. Pastor Dick Hodge of the Fairlee Community Church offered a prayer. The American Legion Ceremony at the monument included Thetford Post 79 Ron Ward, Fred Adams, Nate Pero, Jim Brigham, and Jim Holbrook—also, Norwich Post 7 members Jim Harlow and DeCosta.

There was also a closing performance with band music by Maple Leaf Seven.

Meanwhile, up the Connecticut River a dozen miles, it was a busy time in Woodsville, as the parade passed along Route 302 from Woodsville into Wells River, where it terminated, and the units returned to Woodsville to retrieve personal vehicles for their trip back home.

As has been the case for many years, planes flying overhead have provided a protective roar of freedom to parade-goers lining the streets below, while a variety of combat aircraft have thrilled the crowds with exciting flyovers for the past 25 or so years.

This year, F-35 fighter aircraft from the Vermont Air National Guard flew overhead in the Orford-Fairlee airspace for a quick pass as they continued to their next community to wow those crowds. It is always a thrill to see America's protective aircraft overhead on her birthday!

It was anticipated that planes from the same or a similar unit would also fly over the Wells River-Woodsville Parade. The parade included the opening honor guards from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5245 in North Haverhill and the American Legion Ross-Woods Post 20 in Woodsville.

From there until nearly an hour later, the parade featured many floats, sports teams, marchers and, of course, the Shriners and their exciting array of fire vehicles and small motorcycles. Also this year, the North Haverhill VFW Post sponsored a float carrying veterans along the parade route.

Grand Marshal of the Wells River-Woodsville Parade was community leader and former Peace Corps member Richard Roderick. The following two reports on the day's guests of honor were featured in the Wells River-Woodsville July 4 Committee's publication for this year's events.

The Bridge Weekly appreciates the use of their reports in this story. They wrote: "The Woodsville Wells River 4th of July Committee annually selects a Grand Marshal for the parade. This year's honoree is Richard M. Roderick, who lives on Bible Hill in Wells River. Though Richard is not a Newbury native, he will tell you that he has been visiting Newbury since before he was born. His parents had friends in town, and they visited them for the 4th of July holiday week most summers. Richard even attended Vermont Technical College and the University of Vermont. Then, in 1974, he joined the Peace Corps and taught agriculture to students in grades 8-11 in Jamaica. He continues to have contact with some of his students and has returned to his volunteer site over the years. He co-founded the Green Mountain Returned Peace Corps Volunteers group in 1982. Richard's next adventure led to a 28-year career with FmHA/Rural Development in Caledonia County, Vermont; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Grafton County, NH; and Micronesia in the Western Pacific. During that time frame, Richard moved to North Haverhill and then bought his home in Wells River in 1992. But Richard's involvement with the community didn't stop there. He was an 11-year member of the Newbury Planning Commission and the Newbury Historical Society. In 1992, when the Wells River Action Program (WRAP) began, Richard was part of the group and served as President for 3 years. He is also known as one of the driving forces behind Wells River's So Long Summer, Hello Fall Festival and as the editor of the WRAP-UP Newsletter. Richard's newsprint experience also includes a childhood paper route, selling ads for his high school and college yearbooks, and for Trendy Times. Richard is also familiar with 250-year celebrations. He was part of the Newbury/Haverhill team in 2013 and is currently serving on the Newbury US 250 Celebration Planning Committee. Be sure to say thank you to Richard when you see him and give him a big wave when he passes by as the 2026 Grand Marshall of the Woodsville Wells River 4th of July Parade.”

And earning the title of Parade Marshal this year was well-known Haverhill resident and US Air Force veteran Harvey Keyes. “Command Chief Master Sergeant Harvey W. Keyes has been selected as the 2026 Parade Marshal for the Woodsville Wells River 4th of July celebration. Born in Haverhill, NH, Harvey began his military service while still in high school, enlisting in the Vermont Air National Guard before joining the United States Air Force in 1959. What followed was a remarkable 32-year career defined by courage, leadership, and unwavering dedication, from his early days as a B-52 crew chief during the Cuban Missile Crisis to his becoming one of the youngest Strategic Air Command crew chiefs. Chief Keyes quickly distinguished himself through skill and determination. He later served as an inflight refueling specialist aboard a KC-135 aircraft before answering the call to combat rescue missions in Southeast Asia. During the Vietnam War, Harvey flew 101 missions as a crew chief and door gunner aboard HH-3E "Jolly Green" rescue helicopters, participating in seven life-saving rescues. During the Tet Offensive in 1968, his crew rescued three downed Navy pilots under enemy fire—an act of extraordinary heroism that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. He would go on to complete a total of 237 combat missions and log more than 5,000 flying hours. Rising to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, he was selected as Command Chief of the 305th Air Refueling Wing, the largest refueling wing in the free world—and was among a select few chosen to serve beyond 30 years. He retired in 1990 after more than 3 decades of distinguished service. Even in retirement, Chief Keyes continued his lifelong commitment to others—serving 18 years with the Grafton County Sheriff's Department, supporting veterans as a DAV driver for over 50,000 miles, and dedicating countless hours to community organizations including the American Legion, VFW, and the Lions Club. Above all, he is a proud father of three daughters and a man whose life reflects service not only to his country but also to his community and his family. Chief Harvey W. Keyes represents the very best of dedication, sacrifice, and American service."