Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day Parade 2011, Afton, NY

Some people might laugh at our small parade and joke, "Blink, and you'll miss it!" but over the years, I've came to appreciate and enjoy it. It combines tradition and community, ceremony, patriotism and homage to the many who have served our community and country and sacrificed their lives. It is also a time that the community can gather to participate or merely watch, remember, and enjoy.

Gloria H. and her husband do a wonderful job making sure everyone along the parade route get a program:

Memorial Day 2011 Cover

Memorial Day program-inside, 2011

Here's a copy for you to look over.

People start gathering along Main Street to wait for the procession. We had a preview of the marching band as its members filed up the sidewalk single-file toward the staring point. The parade starts with the flashing lights of the Afton police patrol car, followed by Dolly T., the minister leading the prayers at Foster park. Oh! Here comes the band!

GEDC1817

GEDC1821

There's our boy!
GEDC1822

The Veterans march next with the flags.
GEDC1824

Followed by many community groups:
GEDC1825

GEDC1826

GEDC1827

GEDC1828

GEDC1829

GEDC1830

GEDC1831

GEDC1832

GEDC1833

GEDC1834

GEDC1836

GEDC1837

GEDC1838GEDC1839

GEDC1840

GEDC1842

GEDC1843

After the horses pass, we cut through the Great American parking lot and scurry over the tracks to catch up with the activities at the bridge.

GEDC1844

GEDC1845

GEDC1848

GEDC1849
GEDC1854

Speeches are followed by placing of the wreaths on white crosses of fallen soldiers from our area.

GEDC1860
The band plays. Echoing trumpets play Taps. Proper method of flag folding (and each fold's symbolism) ends the ceremony.

GEDC1861

Memorial Day, 2011

Happy Memorial Day, 2011! Let us pause to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives in service of our country. Our small town always takes the time to honor our veterans with a parade that ends at the bridge over the Susquehanna River, where speeches and memorial ceremonies take place. Trumpeters play "Taps" and it's always eerily beautiful.

Memorial Day celebration, Afton, NY

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Mother's Day 2011

Happy Mother's Day, Mom D, from your boys!

GEDC1536

I think my Mother-in-law enjoyed having her boys visit her this past Sunday!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

May Flowers

Despite the rain, it's been a lovely Spring for flowers!

GEDC1224

GEDC1263

GEDC1294

GEDC1305

GEDC1314

These creek side trees remind me of rippled reflections, or perhaps a Charles Birchfield watercolor.

GEDC1331

Sometimes the shadows rival the flowers for attention.

GEDC1334

GEDC1336

GEDC1338

A bit of sunlight adds extra joy.

GEDC1339

GEDC1424

GEDC1426

GEDC1438

GEDC1452

GEDC1453

GEDC1474

Trout lily in bloom.

GEDC1479

It's modified baseball season, too! (Our team had their first win at their home field today, and our player had some great hits, catches and runs)!

GEDC1495

GEDC1532

Besides admiring flowers, I finally finished this quilt I made for my brother's birthday and gave it to him on Mother's day.

GEDC1538

GEDC1542

Speakiing of Mother's day, last year, I planted the tulips we gave my Mom when she was at the Willowpoint nursing home after they were past their prime. This past week, their lemon yellow blooms greet us daily by our driveway. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I'm glad you were my Mom. Your love and memory continues in all who knew you.

GEDC1543

GEDC1544

Newly divided primroses find a home in my back garden.

GEDC1547

GEDC1548

I've noticed the barn that Dan built serves as backdrop for many of our pictures, adding a touch of red.

GEDC1551

Sunlight transforms petals into stained glass beauty.

GEDC1554

GEDC1556

You can actually eat violets, but I just enjoy looking at them!

GEDC1560

These sunlit tulips just make me smile!