I woke this morning thinking abut Sam.. It’s still so unbelievable to me that he’s not here to enjoy the 4th. This was probably his 2nd favorite holiday after Halloween. How can he not be here to enjoy it. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to things like that..
It was late by the time I managed to get myself out of bed. I woke Gabe and we all eventually made it downstairs. We only had about a half hour to eat, get dressed and get down to Richmond for the parade.
We finally made it ut of the house around 10.. As we left, we noticed thi guy hanging on one of our windows.. Pretty special !
By the time we got to Richmond, parking was crazy. we had to park about a 1/4 mile down cochran rd to get to town..
That gave me soem good bumber sticker browsing time..
We got there in plety of time for the start of the parade.
The Governor was there…
As were the St. Andrews Pipers.
Lots of horses this year.
and farm equipment.
Old fire trucks and trucks from neigboring towns.
One really Sad note is that the town was the recent death of the 27 year old Fire Cheif BJ Millard. Hs wife has helped us out several times at the bank.. I’m so sad when I hear of a loss like this .
WWe had racing tractors.
and 4 wheelers
Batman and wonderwoman
Some cool old cars
And only a few floats. This years theme was ‘Vegas in Vermont. .. Kinda a hard one to follow , I think
The town band was there.
As was the Land Trust.
And the Civil war buffs.
Cochran’s brought there prized snow making machine
Here comes the Buxton’s float.
And the venerable wild boomers.. They play these weird instruments that are broomsticks with drums, tambourines, bells and horns..
A little less military presence this year.
Addie graves and family came crooning by.
Chelse B had his ‘unplug the drug’ anti-TV float.. He handed out hand minted aluminum coins !
Finnally came Marshal.. who closes out all the parades. He was carrying a reference to the song ‘The General’ by Dispatch .. A great song for the day
“General”
there was a decorated general with
a heart of gold, that likened him to
all the stories he told
of past battles, won and lost, and
legends of old a seasoned veteran in
his own time
on the battlefield, he gained
respectful fame with many medals
of bravery and stripes to his name
he grew a beard as soon as he could
to cover the scars on his face
and always urged his men on
but on the eve of a great battle
with the infantry in dream
the old general tossed in his sleep
and wrestled with its meaning
he awoke from the night
just to tell what he had seen
and walked slowly out of his tent
all the men held tall with their
chests in the air, with courage in
their blood and a fire in their stare
it was a grey morning and they all
wondered how they would fare
till the old general told them to go home
CHORUS:
I have seen the others
and I have discovered
that this fight is not worth fighting
I have seen their mothers
and I will no other
to follow me where I’m going
Take a shower, shine your shoes
you got no time to lose
you are young men you must be living
go now you are forgiven
but the men stood fast with their
guns on their shoulders not knowing
what to do with the contradicting orders
the general said he would do his own
duty bout would not extend it not further
the men could go as they pleased
but not a man moved, their eyes gazed straight ahead
till one by one
they stepped back and not a word was said
and the old general was left with his
own words echoing in his head
he then prepared to fight
CHORUS
go now you are forgiven
there was a decorated general with
a heart of gold, that likened him to
all the stories he told
of past battles, won and lost, and
legends of old a seasoned veteran in
his own time
on the battlefield, he gained
respectful fame with many medals
of bravery and stripes to his name
he grew a beard as soon as he could
to cover the scars on his face
and always urged his men on
but on the eve of a great battle
with the infantry in dream
the old general tossed in his sleep
and wrestled with its meaning
he awoke from the night
just to tell what he had seen
and walked slowly out of his tent
all the men held tall with their
chests in the air, with courage in
their blood and a fire in their stare
it was a grey morning and they all
wondered how they would fare
till the old general told them to go home
CHORUS:
I have seen the others
and I have discovered
that this fight is not worth fighting
I have seen their mothers
and I will no other
to follow me where I’m going
Take a shower, shine your shoes
you got no time to lose
you are young men you must be living
go now you are forgiven
but the men stood fast with their
guns on their shoulders not knowing
what to do with the contradicting orders
the general said he would do his own
duty bout would not extend it not further
the men could go as they pleased
but not a man moved, their eyes gazed straight ahead
till one by one
they stepped back and not a word was said
and the old general was left with his
own words echoing in his head
he then prepared to fight
CHORUS
go now you are forgiven
Gary’s solar bus was also in the parade !
It’s quite a palace inside !
After the aprade, Diane and I went and hung out in the park and talked to people. There were a ton of people there on this beautiful day. There were all the usual things, lemonade, ice creme, french fries, funny games..
Cool cars.
… and old friends.. Her’s are Amanda, and Jonathan and friend.. and Amanda’s baby who’s a big girl now !
We headed home around 1:30 and hung out there for the rest of the day. Kids came and went all day.. Gabe went back in to the park late afternoon and I fel asleep outside.. not a bad day at all..
We decided to meet Jen, Tim and Deb and Tuscano’s for dinner this evening before fireworks.. Tim and Wendy decided to join us as well. it was an excellent meal.. andgreat company.. the perfect end of the day..
We heard the first firework just as we stood up to lee. We walked quickly down bridge street to watch the fireworks. it was an excellent display in a beautiful deep dark blue sky.. ..
And that was the day.. full. fun.. and missing Sam…
OK friends.. goodnight to you all. Gnite Sam.. Happy 4th
-me
OK friends.. goodnight to you all. Gnite Sam.. Happy 4th
-me