As yesterday was Veterans Day, I headed downtown to watch the parade. It was especially moving to be in Dallas just days after the Ft. Hood massacre – there were than a couple of units in the parade from Hood. I Took some photos but as my digital remains broken, I only had my K1000, so we’ll have to wait about four years for me to develop, scan, and upload those shots. Here is a photo gallery.
The parade started at City Hall at 11am. There was a flyover by three T38s/F5s to start the ceremony. There was also a finger-four flyover by four prop-wing planes. I’m not sure what they were but they were round-tipped and straight-winged (looked like P-40s maybe). As they sped over the skyline, one trailed smoke, though there was no ‘fallen flier’ formation. Fighters are awesome.
There were a lot of high school marching bands, almost all of which had some sort of JROTC unit as well. A few marched crisply and in-step, but most seemed comprised mostly of kids who were unsure of whether they wanted to be there. It is always moving to me to see the old WWII vets. There are fewer and fewer every year and while some are still very active and with it, so to speak, many more seem frail and sad. However, it is reassuring to see people collect on the sidewalks on a Wednesday to wave, and to cheer, and to actually yell “thank you” to many of the older vets.
There was also a formation of the All-American Cowgirl Chicks and a pick-up truck pulling the Stars’ Ice Girls on inline skates which seemed to be just popular amongst the fans as many of the military vehicles.
A large float that said “We Support Our Troops” along hte side carried an enormous Liberty Bell replica. The sign in front said “Let Freedom Ring”. Fine, but also on the float, flanking the bell fore and aft, facing the crownd were two huge replicas of the 10 commandment tablets. Romans 8:28-31. Hm. Interesting. Nice. Doesn’t sound at all like radical Islam.
There were a few nice old cars, including an array of Corvettes – past and present – at the beginning of the parade. I love to see the older vets in those fancy cars, I think they must get a kick out of it. Anyway, here’s to our vets, past and present and even future.
