Olympic athlete Michael Phelps recently returned to his hometown of... Wait, did I say Olympic athlete? I mean the greatest Olympian of all time with 14 Gold medals and 16 medals over all.

And don’t forget the seven swimming world records. Yes, that Michael Phelps returned home to Towson, Maryland (a locale within Baltimore) recently for a hero’s welcome. The town wanted to show Phelps just how proud they were that they actually put on a parade just for him.

Ok, I kinda of made that one up. No, not the parade. There was a parade but its an Olympian parade put on for all Maryland champions that would have taken place with or without Phelps, but this year Phelps was, of course, the star of the show and it was he who no doubt brought out the large crowds. Over 30,000 people showed up to great their hometown’s and America’s new sports hero.

The 20-block traffic stopping parade brought out hundreds of young women with signs each praising Mr. Phelps and hoping that he would make one of them the Mrs. Phelps. The city aldermen were so sure that Phelps would win big in the Olympics that they began to prepare for the parade even before the Olympics started.

And boy did it show. There was gallons of chocolate, school children singing in praise of Phelps, firetrucks, fireworks, and of course the main feature of a parade (except Phelps of course): dozens of floats.

And, never missing an opportunity to get their photo taken with someone famous and popular, politician showed up and tried to get someone of the spotlight on Phelps reflected on them.

Mouthfuls of chocolate, school children singing, screaming and adoring young women, baby-kissing politicians, floats, and no doubt many cheeseburgers: an American celebration for a true America hero. From one proud American to another proud American: Cheers, Michael! You earned it!