tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1830742293285790962.post-28150135599831348622008-07-04T11:42:00.000-07:002008-07-05T10:36:15.611-07:00<div align="center">And now, on a brighter note, some images from our small town 4th of July. First, there's the parade . . . the motto for parades around here is "If you're late, you might miss it." </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">One pic I missed is the trooping of the colors. Everyone takes their hats off out of respect and falls silent. It's really something to see.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7Msxo6aZI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/d5XKK2yxspI/s1600-h/June+25,+2008+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219334087780231570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7Msxo6aZI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/d5XKK2yxspI/s400/June+25,+2008+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Grand Marshall is a member of Dave's church. Here's he and his wife, riding in style. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7MteSi87I/AAAAAAAAARA/3KHziEUUM5Y/s1600-h/June+25,+2008+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219334099766014898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7MteSi87I/AAAAAAAAARA/3KHziEUUM5Y/s400/June+25,+2008+012.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a>This soda pop car is always popular! </p><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7MuBByRDI/AAAAAAAAARI/k48VpWcZa8k/s1600-h/June+25,+2008+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219334109090956338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7MuBByRDI/AAAAAAAAARI/k48VpWcZa8k/s400/June+25,+2008+019.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's an old jeep with a machine gun mounted on it, and a veteran riding in back. Lots of veterans participate in the parade every year, and they are honored and respected for their service to our country. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7Mua5wdfI/AAAAAAAAARQ/w-dKFG12oVU/s1600-h/June+25,+2008+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219334116036605426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7Mua5wdfI/AAAAAAAAARQ/w-dKFG12oVU/s400/June+25,+2008+021.jpg" border="0" /></a> Smoky the Bear is also a big hit every year. We're not sure if the guy who wears the smoky costume is the one who drew the short straw or if it's a great honor. Either way, it was about 85 today, so he had to be sweltering and likely shed some pounds of water.<br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7Mu1mY0KI/AAAAAAAAARY/U3fIymMT05A/s1600-h/June+25,+2008+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219334123203121314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7Mu1mY0KI/AAAAAAAAARY/U3fIymMT05A/s400/June+25,+2008+024.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219335166450378690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7Nrj_6p8I/AAAAAAAAARo/OYt9_QyEE7k/s400/June+25,+2008+028.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Most of the floats throw candy for the kids lining the parade route. Dave and I were standing next to two elderly women who nabbed some pieces, and they were so pleased with themselves! The float above also had some kids with super-soakers, which was welcome refreshment on the hot day! </p><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219334593928504834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_AGKPU9mf8q8/SG7NKPMEJgI/AAAAAAAAARg/cJxM-6FP54M/s400/June+25,+2008+029.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p>After the parade, it's time to head over to the Legion Hall, where for $5 you get the grand feast pictured above - brisket sandwich, homemade baked beans, and homemade potato salad. One of Dave's members said she'd boiled potatoes all week for the potato salad. My favorite part is the ice-cream cup with the wooden spoon.</p><br /><p>Then we went to the town of my church for the annual dutch oven barbecue at the park put on by one of the organizations in town. Forgot my camera, so no pictures of this feast. An elder at my church who is involved in this group gave us tickets. We saw and ate with some church folk. Mmm, was the food good, as was the company. The elder who gave us the tickets was slicing the roasts and said they had gone through 250 lbs of meat. </p><p>Next it was back home to await the city's fireworks display at the park. It seemed like every person in town was there. Overheard from a boy who looked to be about eight - "I just hurt my n*ts." Sigh. Wonder where he picked that up? Sitting behind us on the lawn was a little boy who was just about the most excited I'd ever seen a child about fireworks. It was too cute. Just about every word was "awesome!" He was right on, though. The fireworks were excellent!</p><p>Hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th! </p>Rev Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441988001400641628noreply@blogger.com