Hummer recognized as Grand Marshal of Bogota's Freedom Parade.

Larry Bennett (left) presents Harry Hummer (right) with a plaque recognizing him as the 2010 Grand Marshal of the Bogota Freedom Parade. Bennett said he thinks of Hummer as a father and a best friend. He noted that Hummer has done a lot for the community of Bogota and America. [Click to enlarge]

The Fourth of July means celebrating America and it is also a time to recognize veterans for their service to America, which is why Harry Hummer was chosen as this year's Grand Marshal of Bogota's Freedom Parade.

Bennett, an active leader in the Bogota community and president of the Not Ready for Primetime Players, said Hummer has been a very good friend and citizen of Bogota. He also participated in the Hee-Haw plays they have done for 25 years.

Bennett added the parade is a time to praise America and its veterans. Since Hummer was a veteran and had done so much for Bogota, Bennett thought the honor of grand marshal was past due.

"We need more men like Harry Hummer," said Bennett. "He fought for America's freedom and we would not be free if it weren't for men like him."

Hummer, 85, is a veteran of World War II and received two Bronze Stars during his service. He joined in December of 1943 and was wounded in Naples, Italy. After the war, he came back to Bogota and owned a cotton gin. He said he was surprised to find out he had been chosen to be this year's grand marshal and thought it was a great honor.

"It means a great lot to me," said Hummer. "I was just tickled to death of those people down there. The people at church congratulated me on it. I'm proud of Larry Bennett. He's a good man."

Bennett thinks highly of the man that he has known since he was a child and said men like Hummer are what America is all about.

"He is a hero in my book," said Bennett.

He also noted that Hummer has been like a father to him and Hummer said the same thing about Bennett's father.

Hummer, recalling his days in World War II, said he got a chance in 2003 to go back to Naples and visit the place where he was stationed. He and Jim and Jewel Horner visited Italy and Hummer got to meet a man that he knew as a child there. The man found out Hummer was in town and called him up and invited him to dinner.

Hummer wore his American cap to dinner and said he was met with overwhelming support from the Italians.

"Those old people came over and hugged my neck and told me how much they appreciated what we did for them in World War II," said Hummer. "It made me feel real good."

Although Hummer may be 85 years old he said he would still join the military today and fight for the country he loves.

"I wish I wasn't too old, I'd like to go back to the Army," said Hummer. "I'd do it in a minute."