Guesting today from Shelter Island New York, Dee Dee.....
We had our Memorial Day Parade today. Now this is a small island with a permanent population of under 2,500. The parade consists of the American Legion (membership about 75, ambulatory about half that); the fire company (about 75 guys and 40 or so in the auxiliary and every truck they've had since 1912); the Daisies, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts; the school band (total graduating class this year is 21, the band has a lot of middle schoolers in it); and the ambulance.
They form up at the Center firehouse, march down 114 to the Legion Hall, turn left for a block, left for another block, left again, back to the firehouse. And then they do it once more. I was told they do the route twice because the band feels rooked when they only march for 15 minutes or so. The old legionnaires in the vintage fire trucks have the same grins on their faces the second time around.
Best part of Memorial Day is that the Manhattan summer residents are here to open up the big houses, put their boats in the water, and drive their often rather exotic vehicles around for our delectation (Austin-Healy, Morgan, and a very nice Bentley made the tally this morning). I left the Taurus in the driveway and walked to town.
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
