Training Log Archive: PGIn the 1 days ending May 26, 2018:
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Saturday May 26, 2018 #
Note
Sunderland celebrates Memorial Day with a Friday evening parade from the center of town to the cemetery, where a ceremony is held honoring town residents who have died in war. I hadn't been for a long time, maybe 25 years. But this year I went because elected officials were asked to march in the parade, not just watch. It has been over 60 years since I marched in a parade, that was back when I was an Odger.
It's actually a really fine event, both the parade and the ceremony.
The parade has most of what you might expect -- fire engines, a few floats, a few dignitaries, lots of kids, the high school marching band, some veterans in uniforms, lots of flags. All a little bit helter-skelter, which was just fine. Quite a lot of people lining the street. It was about 3/4 of a mile down to the cemetery. All traffic was blocked off for quite a while, glad I wasn't trying to get someplace.
The ceremony was a different matter. Well-organized, solemn, serious, respectful. Just as it should be.
The flag lowered to half-mast. A wreath placed in front of it. A message from the Governor was read. The town's oldest veteran was recognized with a bit of a story of his life. The top male and female students at the high school were recognized and they read the Gettysburg Address and In Flanders Fields. And then the names of those who had died, starting with the French and Indian War. For each name a resident came forward, took a red carnation and placed it at the wreath, and a bell was rung. I think in total there were 18 carnations, 18 rings of the bell. The band played the national anthem. And then we all marched back to the center of town.
I have a hard time with most shows of patriotism. But this one was just right. You show respect, you honor the dead, you do it in a quiet way.
I was glad I went. And glad to be asked to place one of the 18 carnations by the wreath. And glad also to spend some time thinking about my own grandfather (died in World War 1). It all seemed as it should be, even if we were three days early.
It's actually a really fine event, both the parade and the ceremony.
The parade has most of what you might expect -- fire engines, a few floats, a few dignitaries, lots of kids, the high school marching band, some veterans in uniforms, lots of flags. All a little bit helter-skelter, which was just fine. Quite a lot of people lining the street. It was about 3/4 of a mile down to the cemetery. All traffic was blocked off for quite a while, glad I wasn't trying to get someplace.
The ceremony was a different matter. Well-organized, solemn, serious, respectful. Just as it should be.
The flag lowered to half-mast. A wreath placed in front of it. A message from the Governor was read. The town's oldest veteran was recognized with a bit of a story of his life. The top male and female students at the high school were recognized and they read the Gettysburg Address and In Flanders Fields. And then the names of those who had died, starting with the French and Indian War. For each name a resident came forward, took a red carnation and placed it at the wreath, and a bell was rung. I think in total there were 18 carnations, 18 rings of the bell. The band played the national anthem. And then we all marched back to the center of town.
I have a hard time with most shows of patriotism. But this one was just right. You show respect, you honor the dead, you do it in a quiet way.
I was glad I went. And glad to be asked to place one of the 18 carnations by the wreath. And glad also to spend some time thinking about my own grandfather (died in World War 1). It all seemed as it should be, even if we were three days early.
9 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:34:21 25.33 mi (3:43 / mi) +238ft 3:42 / mi
ahr:122 max:148 weight:137lbs
Virtually flat, to Northampton west of the river, back on the east side. A harder workout in one way, almost no coasting, just keep turning the pedals.
Mid-70s, slight breeze from the south. Supposed to get near 90, so happy to get out relatively early.
Mid-70s, slight breeze from the south. Supposed to get near 90, so happy to get out relatively early.