Colorful city
Today's walk held another surprise. I know it's Memorial Day, but who knew St. Charles hosts such a charming ceremony? My walk started with the goal of the Post Office, to mail a card, then I figured I'd head downtown again. The Post Office is at the top of a large hill. I could hear the sound of a band. Of course I had to go investigate.
It was our municipal band, playing a patriotic medley. A-dor-a-ble! It's a pretty wonky band, not always together, not always quite playing all the right notes. But I find them to be 30-plus people's worth of charm. I'm all about it.
They were playing a musical interlude for a Memorial Day ceremony at the Old Courthouse, which is a lovely old building a couple of blocks from my house.
I'm grateful to our veterans, etc., so I figured I should stick around even after the musical number ended. Up next was the reading of the names of those from St. Charles County who had fallen in service. Over 550 people. It took a long time (in the direct sun). I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I thought about slipping away, but certainly felt too wimpy to do it during such a roll call. (And hey, maybe a couple of bells are ringing for some poor souls in purgatory...)
I noticed the musicians packing up their music and stands during the roll call. Then it was really hard not to leave, since there wasn't going to be any more music. But I stuck around, and was rewarded by lots of very cute old men wearing their legion hats. The service ended with the laying of a wreath for a soldier who died last August. His mom assisted, and it was very touching.
I'm really glad the town does something like this today.
And once again, I'm rewarded for the walk. Yay!
It was our municipal band, playing a patriotic medley. A-dor-a-ble! It's a pretty wonky band, not always together, not always quite playing all the right notes. But I find them to be 30-plus people's worth of charm. I'm all about it.
They were playing a musical interlude for a Memorial Day ceremony at the Old Courthouse, which is a lovely old building a couple of blocks from my house.
I'm grateful to our veterans, etc., so I figured I should stick around even after the musical number ended. Up next was the reading of the names of those from St. Charles County who had fallen in service. Over 550 people. It took a long time (in the direct sun). I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I thought about slipping away, but certainly felt too wimpy to do it during such a roll call. (And hey, maybe a couple of bells are ringing for some poor souls in purgatory...)
I noticed the musicians packing up their music and stands during the roll call. Then it was really hard not to leave, since there wasn't going to be any more music. But I stuck around, and was rewarded by lots of very cute old men wearing their legion hats. The service ended with the laying of a wreath for a soldier who died last August. His mom assisted, and it was very touching.
I'm really glad the town does something like this today.
And once again, I'm rewarded for the walk. Yay!