Massachusetts Youth March in 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade

(Pictured..USA East Delegates)

January 1, 2008.......the 119th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade stepped off with excitement.....continuing the tradition of The Salvation Army's participation with brass band and timbrel brigade. Youth from all Territitories in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda came together to witness of the continued love of God through the medium of music.

Two of our Massachusetts youth representated us well as they were viewed on national telecasts of the parade. Marching proudly, we had Josiah Bote of the Haverhill Corps and Courtney Carter of the Milford Corps. Massachusetts has been sending young representative musicians for more than 8 years.

THE WORDS OF JOSIAH BOTE (HAVERHILL CORPS)

"This last week was an awesome experience and I really had a good time. We visited many places like Disneyland, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Knock's Berry Farm, and Pasadina, and everything went very well. The parade was good too. It wasn't as tiring as I thought it was going to be considering that we had only 4 hours of sleep the night before. It seemed shourter because of the crowds cheering. I was just enjoying every moment of it. I met a lot of people and made many friends from all over the country and also from the Canada & Bermuda Territory. It was very wam too. It felt like New England in the late spring, but when I got out back at Logan Airport, it was a different story - back to the real winter. I want to thank you for giving me this chance of a lifetime to go and represent our division."

THE WORDS OF COURTNEY CARTER (MILFORD CORPS)

"I had an amazing time, I don't even know what words to use to describe the time that I had. I made SO many NEW friends from all over the USA and Canada. I even met the DYS from Bermuda, her name was Vanessa. It was so good to be able to march around the streets of Pasadena and be amazed at how many people actually clap and scream and yell for The Salvation Army. Being a part of the parade and history is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Josiah and I didn't want to come back home. When we got to the LAX airport we both looked at each other and said 'Do you just wanna stay here and not go back home?' But we knew it was time to go back home to the cold and snowy weather. to be around other Christians and worshiping God is the best thing ever. Also, to be able to use our talents that God has given us to spread his word to the whole entire world is just unbelievable. It was truly and experience of a lifetime. The weather was beautiful, but also the new Christian people we met were truly of God. we all had our different ways of worshiping God but we also had a lot of FUN doing it as well. On Sunday, we got to participate in the church service in Torrence, California and that was amazing. When we marched around the Angel Stadium in California, we even had fun...although we were marching for hours at a time. I just want to thank the Music Department, DHQ, and THQ for allowing me to go on the trip and to everyone else that was involved, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. God bless.