---Note From Arizona---
Hi Doug and Carol: Thursday night we went to the Rodeo here in Prescott which is billed at the oldest Rodeo in the Country. It is held every year to coincide with July 4th as part of the Frontier Days Festival. The whole Rodeo was fun and exciting but the opening pageantry was the most patriotic and moving thing I have ever seen. The colors were presented on horseback - American and Arizona state flag side by side followed by all of the rodeo participants. I had expected them to say the Pledge. Instead, as the American Flag was ridden around the arena, the poem , "The Ragged Old Flag" was recited by the MC. As the poem progressed, the horse with the flag went faster and faster around the area. Then we were asked to raise our voices in "The Star Spangled Banner." There was not a person in that arena dry eyed by the time the song was done. I have not seen such a public display of loyalty in a very long time.
Yesterday, they held the Annual Frontier Day Parade. There were about 150 groups in the parade. Almost every business and organization in town had either a float or marchers and of course lots and lots of horses. It was so different from every parade I have ever seen. The parade route was lined with people that had staked out their places during the night. Luckily my daughter works in a store that is almost directly across from the courthouse square where the reviewing stand was set up.. She also has reserved parking at the back entrance of the store so we didn't have to worry about getting there early or where to park. It was a great experience to see how those in other parts of our country celebrate. I really enjoyed it. Have a great 4th.
No comments:
Post a Comment