RONNE FROMAN NAMED PARADE GRAND MARSHALL

2005 Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshall Ronne Froman.

By Bobbi Zane

Ronne Froman will serve as grand marshal of Julian’s annual Fourth of July Parade and celebration.

The parade committee invited Froman to serve as grand marshal in recognition of a lifetime of public service. A retired Rear Admiral from the United States Navy and a former Navy Mayor of San Diego, she heads up the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties, where she developed the new Red Cross in San Diego County, refocusing the organization on its core mission of disaster relief and emergency preparedness.

Doves and Desparados in the 2004 parade. Photos by albie stark

Before joining the Red Cross, Froman served as a chief of business operations for the San Diego Unified School District, where she was responsible for modernization and automation of the district’s finance, technology, logistics and support operations.

While in the Navy, Forman received a number of awards, including the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

In civilian life, she received the Peacemaker of the Year award last year from the San Diego Mediation Center and was named one of the 50 People to Watch in 2004 by San Diego Magazine.

Visitors to Julian will have an opportunity to watch her move down the parade route on July Fourth.

A classic homegrown event, the Julian parade always features many local handmade floats, members of the 4-H club with their animals, the American Legion Post 468 color guard, the century-old Mack Stage that members of the Julian Historical Society restored, local llamas, beautifully restored classic cars, and Julian’s famous Floozies.

Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with pre-parade activities, and the parade steps off at noon. For information, contact the Julian Chamber of Commerce, (760) 765-1857.