After marching in parades in the same towns year after
year, you begin to associate certain characteristics with each town.
Whitesboro is very patriotic. The parade is centered
around its American Legion.
La Banda Rossa marched down the street playing the songs
of each of the Armed Services as well as “God Bless America”.
When you look beyond the children scrambling for Tootsie
Rolls and Lollipops – you notice how many people are sporting red, white, and
blue, stars and stripes clothing.
But it’s the older folk that are the most touching.
For them this is a solemn occasion: the lady holding an
old sepia portrait of a woman in a WWII WAC uniform - the Veterans’ wearing ball-caps saying
“Korea”, “ Vietnam”, “Army”, “Marines”, and “Iwo Jima” – older eyes looking at
us with dignity and respect.
It’s rather humbling to look at them.
The feeling was different in New Hartford where the
parade is held at 7pm.
The long humid day and the Memorial Day weekend are
almost over and yet, it seems as if at that moment - that summer has truly
begun.
Marching down Pearl Street and then onto Oxford Road,
both streets tree-lined with their dark, leafy canopies – people sitting on
their porches and the curb – happy, smiling, waving, cheering – everything so
warm and green.
The setting is ripe for a celebration. Summer is here –
Hooray!
For more photos please click on the following link
VIVA LA BANDA
ROSSA!!!
