A Reminder.
This year, as in past years, I marched with my American Legion Post in the local Memorial Day Parade. I carried a rifle as part of the color guard that led our unit down the main street in town. Unfortunately, with the exception of the two blocks that comprise the center of town, there were pitifully few spectators.
As we sweated our way down the largely empty street followed by the high school band, I found myself wondering why I bothered to participate. Sure, there were isolated pockets of people at the curb who clapped at we marched by, but it was not like parades of years ago with crowds along the entire parade route large enough to attract the pretzel and balloon vendors who always seemed to appear each year from God knows where. This year the pretzlel and balloon vendors were elsewhere.
Just then, a lady along the parade route stepped off the curb to hand me three lilies tied together with a red, white and blue ribbon. She said, “These are in memory of my father. Would you carry them, sir?”
Thanks to her, I’ll march again next year.
Thank you, Jim.
Comment by Ken Adams — May 30, 2006 @ 7:35 am
Yes, thank you. Our parades garnered people lining the streets and packing hte local cemetary for the services after both Saturday and Monday. Sorry to hear that many neglect your parade.
Comment by oddybobo — May 30, 2006 @ 10:00 am
Jimbo my friend, you are DOWNTOWN!!!
Comment by Yabu — May 30, 2006 @ 10:13 am
Okay – that made me cry. Maybe I should head down to New Jersey to watch your parade next year. *grin*
Comment by Teresa — May 30, 2006 @ 12:15 pm
Come south Jimbo, our streets were full as a tick. Plus I am between Fort Stewart and Hunter Army AirField, the home of the Rangers and the 3RD ID. They are all home now. Every little town had there own parade, Cat.
Comment by Catfish — May 30, 2006 @ 4:40 pm
A very powerful reminder Jim. Ditto comment #4.
Comment by Enlighten-NewJersey — May 30, 2006 @ 6:19 pm
Beautiful.
Comment by Lisa W. — May 30, 2006 @ 9:27 pm
Thank you Jimbo!
Comment by livey — May 30, 2006 @ 10:23 pm
Days *later* I get teary. Thank you.
Comment by Richmond — June 1, 2006 @ 5:47 pm