Memorial Day

On Monday morning we attended the Memorial Day parade in Jamestown. I have always loved parades, and fail to understand the many Americans I know who have no interest in attending parades. Perhaps because I grew up overseas and attending a parade was a once-every-four-years event, it means much more to me. I love sitting on the curb in the hot sun watching and listening. The patriotic Sousa band pieces are my favorite part, I think, but I also love clapping for all the veterans, and waving at the ambulance and fire truck crews. Our local parades are pretty small, so usually other than one or two school bands, and the fire trucks and ambulances, there are just kids on bikes, the Boy Scout troop, and quite frequently--the Civil Air Patrol!! With all of our family members being in the Civil Air Patrol, we have participated in quite a few parades in the last few years. This year I didn't march, but Duane and Erika and Jeremiah did. Regretfully, we weren't able to stay for the memorial service in the Soldier's Circle at the cemetery. The towns also schedule their parades on different days, so schools and groups can participate in more than one. On Sunday, Erika and Jeremiah participated with the school band in a small parade in Otto. While Erika usually plays her flute in the parades, this year she was selected to carry the American flag. Jeremiah, our tuba player, plays the sousaphone in the parades. I was unable to attend that parade and missed seeing my children perform.