In an hour or so I will take a walk into town to enjoy the oldestcontinuing running Memorial Day parade in the country. When the parade is over I’ll walk further down Court Street to the historic Doylestown Cemetery to witness what is always an incredibly moving ceremony honoring America’s fallen heroes.
Memorial Day always holds a special place in my heart. Both of my parents were WWII veterans (my mother secretly left home and took a train from Buffalo to New York to enlist in the Coast Guard) and a number of my friends served in the military. I also have had the privilege to work with many serving or having served in the military. They all have my utmost respect. I’m always grateful for the freedom I have and take time on Memorial Day to thank my lucky stars for those that have been there to ensure that freedom.
The other reason I love Memorial Day is the opportunity to be out there and photograph the festivities. Ever since I moved to Doylestown I have attended the parade and the memorial that follows it. I never grow tired of it; even if I don’t make a single photograph I get a lot out of the experience. The babies in strollers, the old timers, the marching bands, old cars and fire engines, and of course the speeches that remind me of the ultimate sacrifices others made so I could go home and barbeque a couple of hours later.
When I lived in the DC area I always attended the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally downtown and the ceremonies that took place around the various memorials like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Now I just read that this year’s national Rolling Thunder event in the capital will be the last one due to financial issues! I’m grateful I was able to attend the ones that I did, as well as having had the opportunity to hang out with some of the bikers. The bottom line – you have to go see this stuff, get drawn into it and if you’re lucky, make some photographs that will make you happy.
So if you are reading this today, how about getting out there and experiencing Memorial Day. If you don’t have a parade, go visit a cemetery or some event that is taking place to mark the holiday. My guess is that there is something going on nearby where you live. Maybe pancakes breakfast or lunch at the VFW post, or something else that you will find meaning in if you take a few moments to think about it. Just make sure to bring along your camera. You might get some incredible opportunities to make something special while being a part of something much bigger than all of us.