(Radio Iowa) – Former Vice President Mike Pence walked in Urbandale’s 4th of July parade today (Tuesday) and will campaign in western Iowa over the next three days. Pence plans to visit each of Iowa’s 99 counties before the Iowa Republican Party’s Caucuses early next year. “One of the things I’ve learned traveling the nation over the last two years is that I’m well known, but I don’t think we’re known well,” Pence said. “Most Americans know me as a loyal lieutenant standing beside the president right up until my oath to the Constitution required me to do otherwise, but the story of our family, the story of our service, the story of a family that’s lived the American dream, that I’ve been a champion of the conservative movement all my life — that’s a story I’ll look forward to telling on the debate stage and in all 99 counties of Iowa before we get to that Caucus.”

Pence, who held his presidential campaign kick-off in Iowa last month, spoke with Radio Iowa this (Tuesday) morning and shared that his first parade appearance was in 1964. “My mother took a picture of us actually on a float for Barry Goldwater on his float for president when I was a toddler, but I have no memory of that,” Pence said, with a laugh. “…I would tell you the opportunity to be back on the street, shaking hands, greeting people, celebrating Independence Day, waving ‘Old Glory’ and cheering on the incredible progress our country has made through all these so many years is something that I cherish.”

Pence will make stops in Boone, Sioux Center, Le Mars, Sioux City, Holstein and Neola over the next few days and he’ll be back in Iowa next week to appear along with several other candidates at an event hosted by The Family Leader.