(La Porte, IN) - After being named Indiana’s “Capital of the Day” for many years, La Porte finally received a visit from the governor. Eric Holcomb was Thursday’s 4th of July Parade’s Grand Celebration Marshal.
HTNN caught up with Holcomb as he arrived to town. He said La Porte’s historic parade was on his to-do list before he leaves office. “One of the older parades in the state of Indiana,” Holcomb said. “Everyone loves a parade, but I wanted to make sure before I move on to my next chapter, that I got this box checked.”
Of course, La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody has been promising to get Holcomb here for several years. The governor said he was happy to oblige—eventually. “Well, he asked, and he’s a pretty persuasive guy,” the governor chuckled. “And I gave him my word that I would do it.” Holcomb said he was running out of time, with less than 200 days left in office. “If ever, it was this year. No more procrastination on my part.”
A hallmark of Holcomb’s eight years as governor has been his “Next Level” agenda for advancing the Hoosier State. He told HTNN that La Porte is reaching those benchmarks recently. “It’s three levels up, and with a lot of momentum, a lot of velocity,” Holcomb said. “The pieces of the puzzle are all fitting together, and that’s really about community involvement and community leadership.”
Holcomb has been up this way a few times in the past year. “I love to get updated on what’s going on in La Porte and in the county. It feels like things are on the move.”
As he climbed into the back of a convertible with his wife, Indiana First Lady Janet, Holcomb reflected on his reason for being here: “When you see all these families out here, this is what it’s all about— Independence Day.”
Holcomb said he and his wife were recently in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. “You think, this parade’s been going on just about as long,” he said. “It’s a reminder that freedom isn’t free. People signed up and stepped up, and often didn’t return home, so that we can do this. It’s not just about independence from England, but everything it’s taken along the way to the year 2024 to make sure this is the greatest nation on earth. And you can see it here in La Porte.”
