I Love a Parade

I grew up on suburban Long Island during the 1950's, when the small-town atmosphere was prevalent.  One of the highlights of my childhood was the not-often-enough opportunity I had to see a local parade with my family.  On Memorial Day, the staging area for the parade was at the elementary school at the top of our block, so all we had to do was to step out of our front door to watch the parade go by.  For the other parades, we would trek the half-mile or so into the village, and cheer as our friend, Fred the barber, marched by with the Fire Department, or as my brother marched by with the Boy Scout troop.  The operative word here is "marched."

Yesterday, I walked into our village with my wife, grandson, and two dogs, to see the St. Patrick's Day parade.  The old thrill of my childhood returned when I heard the leading bagpipe-and-drum corps coming down the street.  I couldn't wait to hear the nostalgic sounds of the marching bands, and to honor the local service groups marching down the street.

Well, my anticipation died quickly, as what seemed like hundreds of groups from Cub Scouts to local dance schools meandered sloppily through town, as if on a leisurely stroll on a beautiful spring day.  A few groups, like the local Fire Department and the US Marines, managed to march in the way I was expected to when I was a Cub Scout all those years ago, but much of the "parade" was little more than a bunch of people walking and waving at another bunch of people watching.  We couldn't even muster the strength to stay until what was apparently the one and only marching band came by.

I also noted something of a mixed message, as I see in pretty much every modern parade.  To my mind, every parade has a purpose.  Yesterday we came out to honor the Irish-American heritage, so I expected to see groups like the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  On Veteran's Day, I show up to honor the local VFW posts, and on Columbus Day I look forward to seeing the Sons of Italy march with pride.  

The next parade up on the queue this year is Memorial Day, and I'm hoping I don't see a repeat of what happened last year.  On that day, we went to honor those who have given so much to defend our country, but we were totally taken aback by the appearance of a group called the Conservative Society for Action, a right-wing tea party political group that desecrated the real purpose of the parade to hand out literature and blast a purely political message on their PA.  Their "literature" sent a clear message that Democrats like me are not true patriots, and that we need to get more Republicans of their ilk into office.  Sure made me feel good about coming out to honor those who gave their lives in military service!

I have a few suggestions, just in case there are any parade organizers among my readers:

• Line up several marching bands for each parade, and intersperse them among the other community groups.
• Try to keep to a theme for each parade that's consistent with the purpose of the day.
• Ask the groups that march to march.  I'm not one to advocate indoctrination of our youth into paramilitary organizations, but there's nothing wrong with expecting a parading group to walk in uniform, in line, and in step.  It's something worth coming out for.
• For Heaven's sake, don't allow groups with a political agenda to ruin the experience!

Are you listening, parade organizers?

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