Oceanfront neighbors gather for the Fourth

VIRGINIA BEACH 

Martha Goode's father instilled a strong sense of patriotism in her, and she has tried to pass that on to as many people as she can.

"He was a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and was in World War II," Goode said. "I was born to respect the Fourth of July and make it a special day."

And so she has.

Goode and her husband, Lewis, retired president of Central Fidelity Bank, were longtime residents of 54th Street at the Oceanfront's North End. The couple, who hail from Lynchburg, spent 18 summers in a rental cottage there and later bought their own and resided year-round.

Although they have since moved to Cove Point, the Goodes formed such a close bond with their former North End neighbors - many who live out of town, but spend their summers at the beach, too - they continue to have reunions in Richmond, Charlottesville and Virginia Beach.

"We've kept up with each other," Lewis Goode said. "We still stay together like glue."

"We have camaraderie on 54th Street, and we're all still very, very close today," Martha Goode said.

And the annual Fourth of July parade remains their favorite time to reunite and celebrate.

The idea started when the Goodes invited their neighbors over for a little picnic in their backyard in the early 1980s.

"They all thought I was crazy because I handed everyone an American flag, told them to act right, line up and march around," Martha Goode said.

Back then, it was less than 15 people parading up and down the street.

Throughout the years, the participants included residents from 53rd to 56th Street - such as Betsy and Sam Atkinson, David and Sherry Woolen, Carpie and Tom Coulbourn, Pat Leary, Anne and Bob Hines, Lois and JB Campbell, Ron and Anna Nease and others.

"Every year we tried to have a surprise," said Lewis Goode, noting he dressed as Uncle Sam one year and hired a six-piece band from Busch Gardens on another. "We did all kinds of crazy things."

Martha always donned white boots, a baton, a red, white and blue spangled vest and baseball cap to take her position as the leader of the parade.

Today, invitations are mailed out, flower arrangements are set on tables, sign-up lists are distributed for hors d'oeuvres and desserts, while the meal is catered.

John and Jean Oakey hold the party at their beachfront home, and a tent is set up on the sand.

"It's the most wonderful and special day of our whole summer," Carpie Coulbourn said.

The Coulbourns' daughter, Haley Ottley, has incorporated games for the children such as relay races, hula hooping and more to entertain the smallest to the oldest, whether as participants or observers.

And the parade has turned into a huge event for the next generations. Children, including many of the original family's grandchildren, ride in wagons, on bicycles, tricycles and scooters all decorated for the Fourth of July.

"It's wonderful to see the patriotic spirit alive that we started so many years ago," Martha Goode said. "It's now in the bloodstream of our children and grandchildren."

Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net