The Big DumpTruck

When I was a young lass (not that long ago, thank you) I was a Girl Scout. I really liked being a Scout, and one of the things we did was march in the Leominster Memorial Day Parade. One year we sang patriotic songs at the Elks (for the Elks). The parade was cool, though, because you felt soooo important. I got to be the flag bearer one year - I think because I was the tallest girl in my troop.

But the songs we sang were the old standby classics - This Land is Your Land, America, etc. etc. This morning I went to a Memorial Day Extravaganza at Junior's school. 218 (!) second graders sang for about 40 minutes. It was, and I'm not just saying this, a really fantastic show. I didn't really know most of the songs, and that helped. The fact that my kid was in it also helped, but I think I would have enjoyed it anyway. And my God, when 218 little voices first start singing, if you don't get a lump in your throat you are an evil soulless person. It was just very touching.

I'm glad that we had some soldiers there as special guests - I like that the kids actually understand what it's all about. So even though it's early, I just want to say thank you to all our Veterans, our enlisted men and women, and those who have gone on before us. Happy Memorial Day.

Update: I was seated fairly far, and didn't have the big camera because I was going straight to work after. I got pictures and all the kids' eyes appear to be glowing white. Freaked me right the hell out.