MEMORIAL DAY

I had a great day on Monday.  It began by going to our annual parade.  The neighborhood parade is the largest one in Philadelphia and goes right by the front of my house.  Well, one block over.  But I can stand on my front step and watch it through the parking lot.  I didn't however.  I took some folding chairs and Joe and I walked across the street to sit with everyone else watching the parade.

Now be prepared for picture overload.  I always do this on Memorial Day.  But it's always so much fun to show you the parade.  I missed the very beginning, but came in when the antique cars were going past.

Some of them were cars I rode around in when I was in high school.  And they're antiques?  I feel so old.

Our friend Pat came over to watch the parade with us.  That was fun.

See Joe's Marine Corps shirt and hat?  So many people came over to shake his hand and thank him for serving.  They saluted him.  And one VFW post gave him a ribbon to wear that said "American Hero."  It brought tears to my eyes to see how much everyone thought of him.

There was the ROTC.

The Grand Marshall.
 

The Viet Nam veterans.
 

They own the building across the street from my house.
 

Of course the Boy Scouts were there.
 

 I love this truck.  It's in the parade every year.

This gentleman is a World War II veteran.  The greatest generation!
 

Of course being Philadelphia you know there had to be string bands.  Here's the Aqua String Band.  Their home base is just a few blocks from my house.

The American Legion had Betsey Ross.

They let off a cannon full of confeti.

 The Police and Fire Pipes and Drums was there.

There were the Girl Scouts.

And the Second Street Shooters New Year's Brigade.

The Navy.

Here's the Polish American String Band.  There were so many Mummers in the parade that I felt as if I were at the New Year's Day parade except without the snow and ice.  And freezing temperatures.  Oh brrr...  That's why I never go to that parade.

There were flag twirlers.

And the Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums.

This is the Hog Island New Year Association.

Of course there were the usual politicians and dignitaries marching.  And lots of VFW and AFW posts.  And yet another string band.  This time it was Trilby.

There was an Irish dance troup with the cutest little girls ever.  I tried to get a video of them but when I looked at it, it was all over the place and I had to delete it.  But this is still a good picture.

The Civil War reinactors were back this year.

The end was the Outboard Motor Club.  This was my favorite of the yachts.

This is just a taste of the parade.  I took well over 100 pictures and videos.  Aren't you glad I didn't show you all of them?

In the evening we had Walt and Carole over for dinner.  It was very low-key.  I had hot dogs, potato salad (yes, I made more), deviled eggs, and some raw veggies and dip which my sister gave to me on Saturday.  Walt and Carole brought a slice of watermelon which was so sweet and good.  I made iced tea and lemonade.  We did NOT go hungry.

It was a wonderful day and I enjoyed myself so much.  Now it's back to real life.

Kathy