The yard here in "Whiskey Hollow" smelled just like a perfume factory when I went outdoors at around 7:00 A.M.The wild honeysuckle, and both purple and white lilacs are as perfect as can be, the lilacs bowed nearly to the ground simply by the weight of the flowers.
I wish that I had the technology to "blog" the aroma! Perhaps someday that will be possible!
Although it was dark and lowery, early this morning, the sun came out around 7:30 and from then on the day shone!
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Crowds gathered early along Main Street and, up in Monument Park, the bronze Civil War Soldier waited atop a granite monument that bears this inscription:
Toward "the point" of Monument Park stands a smaller monument placed there by the Clifford J. Fulmer Post of the American Legion as a Tribute to those who served in the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and in Vietnam.
With Jack Gorton just about leading the way, the Parade began on Putnam Street, and on time. There were Color Guards from the Legion, the Fire Department and convertibles with dignitaries; Scouts marched, as did the Memorial Park School Band and a large contingent of Legion Riders rode.
And then, in the distance, just behind the Waterville Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps ambulance, The Waterville Central School Marching Band and Color Guard: nearly one-hundred members strong!
This was the first time that "the public" had seen the Band's new uniforms.
"Stars & Stripes Forever"They are indeed magnificent and the musicians' performance was striking, as well. They were perfectly "in step!" and in tune and the crowd gave them their very audible approval.
Mr. Tom McNamara helped members of the Brownie Troop place flags in the four planters at the corners of the Civil War Monument.There was such a crowd on Monument Park that I was not able to get good photographs of any of the speakers. I could hear them, 'tho, and each did a fine job. I particularly enjoyed Mr. St. Peter's history of "Decoration Day" and Memorial Day and - especially - his reading of Sam Miller's 1942 poem, "Whenever I see a soldier boy," which goes:
Whenever I see a soldier boy,
No matter where it be
I give him salutation
for he means so much to me
He's not the boy we used to know
In store, at desk or plow
He's a defender of our faith
He's in the service now
He keeps Old Glory flying
on land and air and sea
He lives to make our homes secure
He dies to keep us free.
"Taps" - always a tradition at Memorial Day Exercises - was played by Mssrs. Koester and Mowrey, both members of the Marching Band.
"Picture of the Day"Right after the Exercises had ended, the band and colorguard marched through the Park on their way to the schoolbuses that waited on Park Place to take them to the Parade and Ceremonies in Deansboro.
And that's when the sun lit the flags and gleamed on shining instruments and - to me - the kids looked like a million bucks, and I couldn't have been more proud of them.
Thank you, all!
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Thank you, all!
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