La Banda Rossa: July 28, 2012 - Rome NY

Monday, July 30, 2012

July 28, 2012 - Rome NY - Honor America Parade

Of all the communities we parade in, Rome has elevated a “PARADE” to “STATE OF THE ART” status. It is big – 13 long divisions and extremely well organized.

We stepped off at the start of the 9th division with the playing of “The United States Air Force March” – a fine salute to Rome’s long association with Griffiss Air force Base.

Our portion of the 2 mile parade route was 1½ miles and we finished it in 45 minutes.

This year we were accompanied by a light rain shower but after the weeks of hot, sunny, drought conditions – no one complained – certainly not the spectators. They lined the route with colorful umbrellas and some of the crowd stayed dry by sitting under pop-up gazebos. The rain didn’t stop them from waving and cheering us on.

Just ahead of us the Nicky Doodle truck was passing out bright colored popsicles all down the route. All the little kids (and some adults) were smiling back at us with stained lips and chins. A few dogs were enjoying them, too.

At the very end of the parade, just past the Capitol Theater, a white-haired woman in a blue and white top was sitting in her lawn chair holding her umbrella. As we marched by playing “God Bless America” she stood up and started singing along with the band as loud as she could. At the end she kept yelling out “Thank You” to all of us.

It brought a smile to our faces at the end of a long, wet parade.

A great way to end a great day in Rome.