By Charles McClure
news@ltview.com
With military precision, four F-16 fighter jets flew over Lakeway City Park at the exact moment Kalie Naftzger hit the final note of Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem, “Proud To Be An American.”

It didn’t happen that way by accident. In fact, it was planned with precision by U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Boston (ret.), a longtime Lakeway resident and part-time archivist for the Heritage Center.
The flyover was an example of the extensive planning that goes into the annual Lakeway Fourth of July Parade and Celebration, which a team of residents spend months of hard work planning and preparing each and every detail.
The parade was a huge success, according to Bill Chandler, who headed up the judging of the various entries.
“We had a lot of fine entries,” Chandler said during the announcement of the winners at the subsequent pageant, which follows the parade. “These were a difficult decision for the judges.”
With more than 100 entries, judges, headed up by longtime resident Bill Chandler, had a tough time choosing winners in each category: general; civic; churches, schools and scouts; and corporate. But the big winner of the day was the Lakeway Newcomers Club, a float that paid homage to America’s military expertise, complete with a replica of a missile. The Newcomers also won first place in the civic category, followed by the Lakeway Republican Women’s Club in second place. Their entry included a golf cart complete with wings. The only thing the cart didn’t do was take flight — but it certainly looked like it could have. The Greater Lakeway Women’s Club won third place honors with a float that paid tribute to the accomplishments of women in our society.
In the general category, The “Laden Lane Gang” won first place honors with its festive and colorful float. The State Flag Procession, a tradition at the Lakeway parade, took second place in the civic category. The Canada Family float earned third place honors.
Cub Scout Troop 440 earned a first place award in the churches, schools and scouts category for its entry. They were followed by Bluebonnet Montessori School, with its red, white and blue tiered float. Cub Scout Troop 440 took third place honors in the category.
In the corporate division, Point of Origin, with its wild, 1960s bouffant-outfitted women singing and dancing to the hits of yesteryear won notice from the judges, winning first place in its category, Keller Williams earned a second place award with its rendition of a missile, saluting the nation’s military preparedness. TexARTS won third place in the corporate division with its float promoting its current production, “Grease.”
Two honorable mention awards were also bestowed. The Lone Star Military Vehicle Preservation Society and the Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans were honored for their presence, as well as their service.