Memorial Day

Today we took Ashlyn downtown for the Memorial Day parade. I've always had a special place in my heart for Memorial Day. And not just because we get the day off of work. The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday, too. It's that darn military upbringing. As much as I hated being a military brat, there definitely has been an immense sense of pride and respect instilled in me regarding the men and women who serve our country.
Every time I hear "God Bless the USA" it makes me weepy. I can't help it. It just gets to me.
But anyway, we went to the parade. It wasn't a very nice day, but at least the rain held off until it ended. They did have to cancel the parachute team, though. Ashlyn and I were pretty bummed. They were supposed to parachute into every intersection along the parade route. Oh well.
I took a bunch of pictures. Some I'm fairly pleased with, especially because I wasn't there to take pictures and half of them were taken with a toddler crawling all over my lap.

I really really wish this guy's face was in this picture. Then I'd really like it. Eh.



I was just trying to get a picture of the band's feet (really difficult to get a good one when it's a 9th grade band who can't walk to the beat!) but I love that you can see that little girl on the opposite curb through their legs.

Man, that's one cute kid!

kind of creepy that the windows were so tinted that all you could see was their flags. I am positive that wasn't intentional, but it was a pretty cool visual-- sort of the same idea of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You don't know who it was in there, so it's sort of like you're clapping for and showing respect for every ex-POW.

Ashlyn loved the shriners and all the little cars. They stopped to do their little 'show' right in front of us. I love that I got some eye-contact in this one.

Possibly one of the blurriest pictures I took and didn't immediately delete--Buzz Aldrin. I hear he was telling people to call him B.A. He said it wasn't for Buzz Aldrin, but for Bad Ass. I think I'd like him to adopt me as his grand-daughter.

I don't know if this was the plan here, but these four guys who sure look like they just jumped out of the crowd, pushed this officer's car the entire length of the parade route. At least he saved the $3.79 a gallon, I guess!



Hickman High School Marching Band.

I think this may be my favorite picture of the day. There was a family who was passing out laminated "Thank You" signs for people to hold up as the vets passed by. Practically the whole front row of the block we were on had them.

She had it upside down, then turned it over just before I took the picture. I made her turn it back upside down because it's just so cute that way.

Is it weird that I have a strange love for bagpipes? It reminds me of my SAFB days when the fire department bagpiper would practice outside the station right by our house.

When the parade started, the Honor Guard brought out the flags, obviously. Very few people who were seated stood up as the flag passed. Really? You're there to celebrate Memorial Day and you won't stand up as the flag passes? Come on, people!

I mean, I know I grew up in a community that knew all the appropriate do's and don't's when it came to showing respect and patriotism for one's country, but is it really possible that there are grown men and women who don't know or care to stand as the flag passes? It totally pissed me off.