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George H. W. Bush and Marshfield's Fourth of July Parade

  • Writer: Michael Price
    Michael Price
  • 1 day ago
  • 10 min read

One of the most notable presidential visits to the Ozarks took place on July 4, 1991, when President George H. W. Bush led Marshfield's Fourth of July Parade. The parade marked Bush's seventh visit to the Ozarks, and his first as president.


The news first broke on June 17, when an administration official said that the president would arrive in Springfield on July 3 and attend a Fourth of July parade the following day. Missouri's Republican Party Chairman, Tom Fowler, cast doubt on the news: "Normally we would be notified well in advance of his visit. It would surprise me if he were coming to Springfield." Organizers of "An Old Fashioned Fourth of July," a celebration and parade in Springfield's Mid-Town neighborhood, had also not heard about the visit.


The White House confirmed and clarified the plans just two days later. President Bush would spend the evening of July 3 in Springfield, but rather than attending the Mid-Town parade on July 4, he would travel approximately twenty miles east to Marshfield's Fourth of July parade.


Musicians march past a review stand in which George H. W. Bush and other dignitaries watch the 1991 Fourth of July parade in Marshfield.
President George H. W. Bush and other dignitaries watch Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

The Marshfield Fourth of July Parade

The 1991 Fourth of July celebrations held special significance as American troops were returning home from the Gulf War. As such, White House officials wanted to find a small town in the Midwest where President Bush could join in a triumphant celebration.


Marshfield was the perfect place for President Bush to celebrate the Fourth of July for multiple reasons. First, there were logistics: the Springfield Regional Airport could accommodate Air Force One, leaving only a short drive to Marshfield where the president and first lady could participate in one of the Ozarks' largest patriotic events. Then, there was the antiquity of the celebration. Marshfield's annual Fourth of July parade is among the oldest in Missouri, with some sources suggesting that the tradition began in 1880, just three months after most of the town was destroyed by a tornado.


Ultimately, Marshfield received a special recommendation. A spokesman for Governor John Ashcroft said "the governor has long known the July 4 celebration in Marshfield and he conveyed those sentiments to the White House when they considered a trip to Marshfield." Tony Hammond, executive director of the Republican State Committee, argued that "it's important for a president to get out in the real world and meet the people. They were looking for a town like Marshfield, and they found it."


Governor John Ashcroft and his wife Janet wave after arriving in Marshfield for the 1991 Fourth of July parade.
Governor John Ashcroft and his wife, Janet, arrive in Marshfield for the 1991 Fourth of July parade. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

Amid the excitement, some Marshfield residents worried about the impact that the presidential visit would have on their community. The Fourth of July parade was routinely attended by about 5,000 people—already a sizable crowd for a town of 4,374—and everyone knew that President Bush's visit would draw in many more. Sherry Young, an employee of Peacemaker Bible Store on Marshfield's square, predicted: "I'm sure it will bring mass confusion, but it will be worth it." Connie Byrd, the owner of a portrait studio on the square, said, "It may bring such a large crowd that people won't be able to enjoy the celebration as much. It's real exciting, but naturally we in Marshfield are going to think about our comfort."


An elevated view of the Marshfield square during preparations for the 1991 Fourth of July parade. A reviewing stand and a stage are in the interior portion of the square, near the courthouse. Traffic moves around the square.
A view of the Marshfield square as the town prepares for the 1991 Fourth of July parade and George H. W. Bush's presidential visit. President Bush watched the parade from the reviewing stand on the left. He spoke to the crowd from the stage in front of the gazebo on the right. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

The national spotlight found Marshfield in a period of change. The square would serve as a patriotic symbol of small-town America, but some of its storefronts were empty. Elsewhere, the town was growing, with new businesses opening along Interstate 44. Marshfield was typical of many communities located along interstates: growth followed traffic patterns while downtown stores struggled. Nevertheless, locals loved Marshfield's small-town simplicity, and Jerry Van Wagner, executive director of the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce, said, "Marshfield will come into its own. Give us some time, but we'll come along."


Jerry Minor stands on a ladder to adjust patriotic bunting in front of Ruth's Flowers on the Marshfield square.
Jerry Minor adjusts patriotic bunting in front of Ruth's Flowers ahead of President George H. W. Bush's 1991 visit to Marshfield. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

As Marshfield prepared for its largest Fourth of July celebration, another one was scaled back. President Bush usually attended a fireworks show at his family's vacation home in Kennebunkport, Maine. Since the president would not be there, an anonymous donor declined to spend over $10,000 to fund the Kennebunkport display.


The President Arrives in Springfield

President George H. W. Bush's motorcade departs from University Plaza Hotel on July 4, 1991. Dozens of onlookers watch as the motorcade drives by.
George H. W. Bush's presidential motorcade departs from Springfield's University Plaza Hotel on the morning of July 4, 1991. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.
President George H. W. Bush, Johnny Morris, and a large group of unidentified people walk through the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield, Missouri.
President George H. W. Bush and Johnny Morris walk through Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World on the morning of July 4, 1991. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

Air Force One landed at Springfield Regional Airport at 9:30pm on July 3. The president and the first lady were greeted by Governor Jay Ashcroft, Senator Christopher S. Bond, and Representative Mel Hancock, among other elected officials. An advocate for community volunteers, President Bush spoke with representatives from Hospice of Southwest Missouri but made no public remarks. About one hundred well-wishers watched as the presidential motorcade headed for University Plaza Hotel.


On the morning of July 4, President Bush enjoyed breakfast at Hemingway's Restaurant with Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. The president toured the store and purchased a Eureka brand tent before he and the first lady traveled to Marshfield for the day's festivities.


President Bush in Marshfield

The presidential motorcade arrived in Marshfield just before 10am, minutes before the parade began. One of the greatest honors of the day went to six-year-old Christopher Carter, who was among fifteen Marshfield children chosen to escort the president around the square. Carter had this to say about his role in the big event: "My job is to drive my racing tractor. It's also my duty to look real good for the president and follow the rules and be nice. I hope he appreciates it."


First Lady Barbara Bush and President George H. W. Bush lead Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade. Children carry a sign in front of the Bushes that reads "Marshfield, Missouri Welcomes President and Mrs. Bush."
First Lady Barbara Bush and President George H. W. Bush lead Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

After the parade, the president addressed the crowd from a gazebo on the courthouse lawn. President Bush's speech touched on many patriotic ideals which he believed were embodied by small towns like Marshfield. "These towns really do, as the governor said, cultivate the kinds of values that carried this country for over 200 years. Ones like liberty and ingenuity and independence," the president said. "And through it all—you could catch this in the parade, the spirit of the people that greeted us—through it all, faith in God. We are one nation under God and we'll never forget it."


A crowd of people watches as President George H. W. Bush speaks at the 1991 Fourth of July parade in Marshfield. Bush speaks on a stage in front of the courthouse which is draped with a large American flag. Sign on gazebo reads: "Welcome President & Mrs. Bush 4th of July Marshfield, Missouri"
President George H. W. Bush speaks at Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade. Photograph by David Eslick. From the David Eslick Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

One of the reasons that President Bush had chosen to spend July 4 in Marshfield was the community's support for veterans. During his speech, the president offered a "special salute unto those who have served their country in uniform now and in days gone by, with particular emphasis on those men and women who served with such distinction in Desert Storm—what a job they did for our nation." He proclaimed that the veterans of Operation Desert Storm stood for American values and had "liberated a nation abroad, a tiny nation halfway around the world, and transformed a nation at home." Part of that transformation was the acknowledgement that not all of America's veterans had received an enthusiastic homecoming. "Desert Storm has at least brought the recognition and honor to our sons and daughters who served in Vietnam," the president said. "We finally have a chance to tell them thank you, and we're proud of them and welcome home—a little late, but welcome home."


Veterans in military uniforms march at the 1991 Fourth of July parade in Marshfield. Text on sign reads "Baghdad" in Latin alphabet and Arabic script.
Veterans of Operation Desert Storm carry an Iraqi road sign in Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade. Photograph by John Dengler. From the Springfield News-Leader Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.
Eight-year-old Erin Osburn holds an autographed sign reading "President Bush is #1" at Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade.
Eight-year-old Erin Osburn of Republic shows off a poster featuring President George H. W. Bush's autograph at Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July Parade. Photograph by John Dengler. From the Springfield News-Leader Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

President Bush also took the opportunity to address one of his most recent official acts: nominating Judge Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Thomas had been recommended by Governor Ashcroft and Senator John Danforth, for whom Thomas had worked as an aide. "Clarence Thomas is a man of character and impeccable credentials, a model for all Americans," the president said. "You see he will be a great justice on the Supreme Court of the United States."


The confirmation process of Thomas was expected to be difficult, especially with supporters of abortion rights in the Senate. Recent Supreme Court decisions regarding abortion and concern about the appointment of Thomas to the court drove members of Planned Parenthood of Southwest Missouri and the National Organization for Women to organize a peaceful protest during the president's arrival at Springfield Regional Airport. Jane Boles, Planned Parenthood's public affairs coordinator, stated: "Our intent with this is to be extremely respectful. I think everyone in this group respects (Bush) and respects his right to have an opinion. We have our own opinion and we want him to respect that too."


Protesters were also in attendance at the speech itself. About thirty members of Family Farmers of America held signs in a display as President Bush delivered his remarks on Marshfield's square. The farmers wanted the president to understand that an oversupply of milk had drastically reduced their income. Forecasts projected another bad year for dairy farmers in 1991, but President Bush remained reluctant to endorse a new farm bill.


Protestors hold up signs in the crowd at Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade. Signs read: "Mo. Farmers want to save their family farms!" and "Dairymen can't survive on $10.00 milk"
Protesters hold signs drawing attention to the plight of Missouri dairy farmers as President George H. W. Bush speaks at Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade. Photograph by David Eslick. From the David Eslick Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

Even with protesters present, the atmosphere in Marshfield exceeded the expectations of White House officials. The community's display of patriotism and small town values was noted by President Bush from the moment he stepped onto the square: "Seeing the kids on the bikes here as we came into that parade, reminded us all of one thing—the importance of family, the importance of friends... Some people have called this the best little town on earth and I sure know why... By your hospitality you made Barbara and me feel very much at home and thank you so much for having us here today."


Three older women (Ruth Burkey, Evelyn Parkhurst, and Marcella Letterman) watch from the sidelines of Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade.
From left, Ruth Burkey of Marshfield, Evenlyn Parkhurst of Corry, Pennsylvania, and Marcella Letterman of Conway watch President George H. W. Bush enter the square during Marshfield's 1991 Fourth of July parade. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

At 11:45 am, the celebration came to a close. The president and Mrs. Bush left Marshfield for Springfield Regional Airport, where they would depart for another parade in Grand Rapids, Michigan.


A Special Memory of World War II

A reminder of President Bush's military service during World War II was waiting for him at the airport. Before leaving the Ozarks, Bush was reunited with a Stearman biplane that he flew during training in 1942. When the plane was purchased by Dave and Jody Corsaut in 1983, it was being used as a cropduster. Dave spent about 1,500 restoring it before he was contacted by the Naval Aviation Museum, which informed him that his plane was one of five "Bush trainers" still in existence. The museum provided a small plaque for the left of the cockpit that read: "This aircraft is certified as one flown by naval aviator, President George Bush."


Jody and Dave Corsaut, both wearing jumpsuits, stand in front a yellow Stearman biplane. Jody is holding a large knitted rabbit.
Jody and Dave Corsaut stand in front of a Stearman biplane flown by George H. W. Bush during his Naval flight training in World War II. Jody holds a knitted rabbit that she made for First Lady Barbara Bush. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

Due to his tight schedule, President Bush had only ten minutes with his old plane, during which he signed an autographed copy of his original training log. Calling Barbara over, he showed her the log and said, "see, I did fly this plane." Peering into the cockpit, the president gave the plane a pat. "It seems like such a long time ago," he remarked.


President George H. W. Bush stands on the wing of a yellow Stearman biplane and peers into its cockpit while journalists look on.
President George H. W. Bush looks over a Stearman biplane that he flew during his flight training in 1942. Photograph by Bob Linder. From the Bob Linder Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

The Cleanup

George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush wave before boarding Air Force One.
President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush board Air Force One, bound for Grand Rapids, Michigan, and another Fourth of July parade. Photograph by Gregory Chittenden. From the Springfield News-Leader Collection, Springfield-Greene County Library.

An estimated 15,000 people had jammed into the Marshfield square, trying to catch a glimpse of the president and the first lady. Souvenir hunters were disappointed to learn that they could not purchase a piece of the reviewing stand and stage where the president had stood because county officials planned to use the structures for future events. Cleanup began July 5, with employees of Webster County and the Missouri Department of Highways and Transportation packing up 5,300 feet of orange netting, 300 barrel barricades, 100 concrete barricades, and much more. Mark Mikkelsen of the Highway Department reported that "it took a long time to put together, but it's coming down pretty smooth."


Throughout the festivities, Marshfield delivered exactly the kind of atmosphere that the White House was looking for, and that small-town image made national headlines. President Bush was touched by the response that he received during his visit, and based on his speech, the Springfield News-Leader concluded that he understood a phrase that they published every day: "'Tis a privilege to live in the Ozarks."



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