“Forward, march!” he commanded for the 43rd year, and the parade began its journey down the West Tisbury Road.

All eyes in Edgartown were on Col. Fred B. (Ted) Morgan Jr., as he performed his last march as grand marshal and chief organizer of the Edgartown Fourth of July parade.

He marched upright, as always, in perfect time with the drumbeat, while spectators shouted in appreciation from the sidelines. “Let’s go, Ted!” “Alright, Ted!” “Yeah, Mr. Morgan,” they cheered.