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Yesterday, I talked about how celebrating Independence Day is important for this internationalist. So I went to our town's parade. One thing you have to understand is I currently live in one of the most Republican areas anywhere in the country. One of those places where you'd think they 'd check your affiliation before letting you in the county. So I'm lucky they let this Green Labor guy in.
Anyway, started the day with a reading of Jefferson's declaration, courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Then an interesting David Broder column on the same subject. Then it was time for the parade.
I thought I might be in for a jingoistic festival of bloodlust after the successful campaign in Iraq, but it really didn't happen. The theme for the parade was "Only in America," and what we saw was indeed a celebration of what is unique about this place.
This is not to say there were no displays of what passes for traditional patriotism. We got marches by veterans of the wars we won, POW/MIA flags flying (and hardly any Vietnam-era vets). We got stirring renditions of The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. All that stuff.
My favorite part of the parade, however, was the youth marching band from another Milwaukee suburb. They were playing that great American hymn, Oye Como Va. Carlos Santana (playing Summerfest that very night) would have been proud. Later on, a pickup rolled by blaring some great Cajun instrumental music from the speakers in the bed. Still later, the Milwaukee Banjo Band strummed through the Milwaukee anthem In Heaven There Is No Beer and some other Polish favorites. It was wonderful.
On the drive home, the radio played a song that always stirs my patriotic juices: U2's Pride (in the Name of Love). We skipped the fireworks for assorted reasons, but all in all, a great day.
Hope yours was good too.
9:36:24 PM 
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