A Most Unusual Fourth of July

From the Ukrainian float at the National Independence Day Parade to the State Department's astonishing fireworks vista.

Good Evening.

I have lived in Washington DC for a long time. My family moved to the area in 1983, and with the exception of college, I have been here ever since. Until today, however, I had never been to the annual July 4 parade, much less marched in it. And I certainly would never have guessed that my first time at the parade, I would be marching in it …