Cambria natives pack town hall

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

CAMBRIA -- About 200 people packed the new town hall on the east end of town Tuesday for the 129th annual Fourth of July Patriotic Program.

After the group sang the first verse, Brenda Thorson read the final three verses of our national anthem.

Betty Thorson read the invocation.

"We will honor our forefathers for such far-reaching vision and commitment for the birth of this national unity that makes us one people," she said. "This is our land but really it is only a possession of God of which we have become stewards to protect and keep, use for survival and for his glory."

Barb Fisher read about life in a small town.

She talked about people being called by their first names when they walk down the street, pickups outnumbering cars three to one, and talking for 15 minutes when you get a wrong number.

Amanda Rose treated the crowd with a violin solo.

A dozen children sang "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," and "Take Me Out To The Ball Game."

Cambria native Randall Harder, now a Twin Cities radio broadcaster, gave the main address.

He talked about his fondest memories as a child growing up in Cambria.

"I had so many memories of life here, I didn't finish writing my speech until 4 a.m. this morning," said Harder.

He said many Cambria natives that don't live there anymore come back for the Fourth of July because the event was so important to them.

"It's about who we are," said Harder. "I don't think I've ever said 'thank you' for this event and what it's meant to me. This event has been going on 129 years. Thanks are long overdue."

In his letter to Cambria, Harder said the village is at its best and typifies what it is all about--the love of God, family and neighbors, on the Fourth of July.

As a kid, July Fourth was almost like Christmas because of all the fun he had there.

He recalled doing a Bi-Centennial skit in 1976 that included a gun fight in which he fired his cap gun a lot.

His highlight of July Fourth was the father and son softball game. He said he was thrilled to play before such a big crowd at the ball diamond after supper, even though the dads let the kids win.

"I'd like to steal one from the movies and walk out of the cornfield onto the ball field and be five years old again," Harder said.

Now the softball game has been expanded to a sons and daughters versus the fathers.

He said the July Fourth fireworks were another fond memory for him.

"My respect for the flag began here. I can still feel the untainted spirit of the celebration that takes place here every year," said Harder.