Lakeville Pan-O-Prog Celebration

July 12, 2008 - I always enjoy visiting community festivals and parades throughout Minnesota's 2nd District, but I take extra joy in participating in the Pan-O-Prog parade, my hometown celebration in Lakeville.  In 1994, after 25 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, my wife, Vicky and I could select any community in the United States in which to retire.  We chose Minnesota so that we could help Vicky's parents with their family farm.  We chose Lakeville from the many wonderful communities in Minnesota because of its high quality of life and strong sense of community.  Our parks, schools and neighborhoods are among the best!  I would like to congratulate the entire community of Lakeville on another successful celebration – the 42nd annual Pan-O-Prog.

Wow! That was my reaction as I turned around and looked at the crowd of more than 80 Kline for Congress volunteers who gathered to march with me in the Pan-O-Prog parade in Lakeville.  It was gratifying to see such grassroots support, evidenced by an enormous sea of red T-shirts worn by Minnesotans from around the 2nd District who joined us in my hometown.  After we finished the parade, we gathered near the end of the parade route and enjoyed ice cream sundaes to cool down on what was a glorious summer evening.  It was a pleasure to visit and chat with so many people and thank them for supporting me.