Monday, July 05, 2004

Fifth of July: Yesterday was the real holiday, of course, but this being America, if it falls on a Sunday we celebrate it on a Monday so we can get a real holiday out of it. So, today our town shut down Main Street and had a parade:





It was the typical Fourth of July Parade. Firetrucks, Shriners in silly cars, politicians throwing candy at the crowd (the practice is supposedly banned since a child was hit by a float a couple of years ago, but somehow the politicians and judges in the parade always ignore that rule), marching bands, and Elvis impersonators.

Some would say it's pure corn and kitsch. But there's something moving about seeing an entire town come out to watch and cheer as other of its members march down a street. It really is a sincere expression of our happiness at and gratitude for our liberties and freedoms.

UPDATE: A continent away, Jim Miller views the same Fourth of July parade. (Although everyone had flags in our parade. Everyone.)

 

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