We got a lot of walkers and bikers and some cars were decorated. No real big floats were constructed. Back in our day neighbors from various streets used to battle for that top float prize every year. Benjamin loved the fire trucks and he did his Fireman Sam thumbs up to the firemen, who gave him a thumbs up back. He loved seeing the dogs on parade too.
We went to the park afterwards to have some fun. We stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner, then got some food. The line was too long for the moon bounce but we ran and played on the slides and swings before calling it a day. I was bummed there wasn't a softball game and egg toss contest. Pony rides were replaced by a motor train, which drove kids around the playing fields at the park.
I'm very much into nostalgia. Can't explain it except I used to love listening to my Grandparents talk about their lives and what was going on in the DC area when they were kids and adults. History was my favorite subject during the times I paid attention in school. Also I get nostalgic when I listen to tons of music off my iPod from various eras. I'm proud of where I grew up, appreciate my roots and we had a fun childhood that I'll never forget. I get a kick showing Benjamin the area now and he's starting to develop an appreciation as he told me today "I like seeing where you grew up Daddy". He's two and a half, going on ten.
Hope everyone who reads this had a Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the pics. Just for kicks I took a few of Benjamin today in front of the house we grew up in.
My Grandparents awaiting parade, 1969
Benjamin awaiting the parade, 2008
Daddy staying cool, 1969
Benjamin kicking it, 2008
Daddy at the front door, 1970
Benjamin at the front door, 2008
Policemen and Firemen, 1969
Firemen, 2008
Cars in parade, 1969
Cars in parade, 2008
Miscellaneous shots
Daddy and Benjamin
Benjamin and a friend
7 comments:
Thanks for sharing Bill, the old pics are a hoot!
K
I agree with K, Bill. Nice trip down memory lane, you young whippersnapper. :-)
dadman
This is one of the joys of living in a small town. We don't take part much in Hanover's Independence Day stuff, but there are many other small-town traditions I know Bridget will grow up enjoying. Sadly, those are going away in places that have grown from small town to suburb in the last 20-30 years.
Keep getting as much of that nostalgia into him as you can.
I thought you ran out of things to post about. :) I'm glad you posted about this.
I had block. Since I am not a writer, I can't call it writer's block ;)
Things have picked up now. I had been wanting to get a pic of Benjamin at my old house for quite some time and yesterday was perfect since the current owners weren't home.
Great photos and it was good to see the old homestead. Funny, I think I actually have a photo of Missy looking very similar to her daughter in that picture with Ben.
Aunt Kim
Maybe when he's cap-tied to the US, they will finally have the red kits a lot of their fans will want to wear. :D
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