Went to my hometown Memorial Day parade yesterday.

[woodsprite]

Very slim attendance compared to past years. Even the dignitary's grandstand wasn't full. I saw one Vietnam vet walking up/down the street with a sandwich board on that said "Support our troops - Bring them home now!" on the front, and "3450 deaths too many" on the back. Other than that, I saw no other signs or banners.

The parade was noticeably scaled back and the crowd noticeably more subdued. They usually start out by having 3 Huey's fly over - yesterday it was 1 - fuel costs or everyone in Iraq?. The Delaware Military Academy contingent (they said it was the only Military Academy Charter School in the US) was about 25% of the marching units. I would say a good 1/3 of the entire parade was fire apparatus. We had one military marching unit from Ft. Belvedere - that was it other than color guards from other units. I will say too, that I have never seen Biden in the parade - walking or riding. Castle is always there (riding in a car this time) while Carper walks the route shaking hands.

Another change, we usually have a crackshot Navy drill team (where they send our Police chief thru one of the bayonette drills - kinda cool to watch him sweat) and the Army Band from Ft. Benning perform at an after parade wreathlaying ceremony. Didn't happen yesterday. Probably all shipped out.

At one point in the parade they asked any vet in the crowd to walk into the middle of the street. It was a good number - I couldn't take a picture. From my area, I'd say it was 1/4 of everyone I was seated with. Then they asked for everyone who had a loved one or relative serving to stand in the street. Another good percentage.

Other than mentioning that "We are a country at war", not much was mentioned about that at all. No mention that I heard of current death tolls, or people from Delaware who have been killed. Almost like they didn't want to broach that topic.

Being a college town, I expected to see more.

So, has anyone noticed any differences in their parades/celebrations?

[meegbear]

1. Why did your city have their Memorial Day parade a week early?

[NMDemDist2]

2. that was my question too n/t

[woodsprite]

4. They always do (or at least for the last 39 yrs I can remember)

That's how we're usually able to get the better drill teams, bands, etc. to fill out the local groups. Plus, it frees up our school bands to go to other parades in the surrounding areas on Memorial Day weekend. My Dad used to help schedule and feed the parade units when he was in the fire dept. and he said that was why they changed it. Some of the bands/units book 3+ years ahead.

[meegbear]

6. Gotcha ...

thanks!

[jollyreaper2112]

3. and my question was...

Why was I a week off? lol

[woodsprite]

5. It may also have to do with when the Univ. lets out - Graduation is next week.

Most "townies" don't want to be anywhere near Main Street or the campus when Graduation is taking place. ;) With everyone leaving campus, the population of the town will drop by approximately 20,000 people. The first weekend in June is usually "Newark Night" - or as I prefer to call it "Take-back-the-town Night". :evilgrin: