The Scene: A hot, overcast summer morning in Montgomery, Ohio.

The parade was to begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Junior High School on Cooper, and end at Montgomery Park about a mile up Montgomery Road.

I parked near the end of the parade and walked back down the parade route.

I almost made it to the school as the parade began.

On the way there were a few boos, plenty of thanks, and lots of people.

Along with cheezy commercial ads in the parade, there were quite a few
politicians on the hoof. The schmidt group was surprised to see me, I'm sure.
The democrat candidate supporters thanked me for being there.

No shortage of red, white, and blue.

I thought the Lady Liberty on stilts was cool.

It rained for a few minutes, but not enough to chase people away.

A woman who came up to me to thank me for being there took the last picture, above.

As the end of the parade emerged from the school parking lot, I turned and double-timed it
along the parade group, passing many paraders who and just passed me. The sign got
some applause, a few boos, and another "why today" (what better day?).

I went all the way to the parade terminus, even though it was two blocks past my car
so as not to deprive anyone of the chance to see the sign.

Notice:
Today's sign event page is dedicated to patriots everywhere.

More fun later,

Ray

Written July, 4, 2006