ST. LOUIS SUPPORTS OUR TROOPS

Here are a few more photos from the Welcome Home Parade last Saturday, January 28th in downtown St. Louis. The parade was organized to welcome Iraq veterans and veterans from other wars also participated in the march along Market Street.

By the time we got to the parade, all the space in front by the fence on the street close to the floats was taken. I captured most images by zooming in with my cheesy camera but being a "shortie" I had to ask the people who stood in front to let me sneak in to take a few photos. Most of the people were nice and agreed to move back temporarily to give me some room. I took the photos, thanked these kind souls and move way back to the sidewalk. It was really cold and windy so we kept walking along the route with the parade instead of standing in one spot.

Everyone had fun when the bikers came around with their fancy decorated bikes. The kids especially enjoyed seeing performance (spinning in circle on the pavement) by the Shriners in their iconic miniture cars.

To all the servicemen and women, our thanks and appreciation for the sacrifice you and your family have made for the freedom and liberty we enjoy. God Bless you - we pray that you soon will be safely home.

FRIDAY "ST. LOUIS WELCOME HOME" SKY

These photos were actually taken on Saturday, January 28th at the Welcome Home Parade for Iraq War veterans. St. Louis hosted this first major welcome home parade with thousands of people lining along Market Street in downtown, waving American flags and shouting "Thank You" to our servicemen and women as they marched from Kiener Plaza to Union Station. Most of the veterans waved to the crowd from military vehicles and floats sponsored by organizations. It was a real treat when we were able to reach out and shake hands (some gave hugs) to let the veterans know we were grateful for their service.

Don't get me wrong, I have always thought moving to St. Louis when my husband got the job transfer from Michigan was a good decision. St. Louis is a good place to live, mild winter compared to Michigan and much better cost of living compared to New York. Now I have one more reason to be proud of St. Louis for being the first in the nation to have this welcome home parade for our veterans. I clapped and shouted as loud as my voice allowed when the Vietnam veterans marched by where we stood. These veterans never received the welcome they deserved. I made eye contact with a veteran and said, "Cam On Ong". He understood the Vietnamese words I said, acknowledged my thanks and his eyes showed he was touched by my gesture.

It was a sunny but very windy day. I was glad to be able to capture this photo of the flag against the clear blue sky. Thanks to the two firemen (below photo) for staying up in this bucket to make sure the flag won't get twisted into a knot.

It was a great turnout and I was glad to see the full coverage of the parade by the media and tv networks. I plan to post additional photos of the parade in future posts.

HERE IS TO A ROSY 2011

I don't normally pay much attention to the Rose Parade or the Rose Bowl game. I enjoyed the decorated floats but never watched a Bowl game. This year was different because during our Route 66 Westward adventure, when in Pasadena, California, we drove along the route of the parade and took photos outside the Rose Bowl stadium. Now we were able to say, "We were there!" while watching the parade. Well, not exactly at the parade, just being on the same roads, five months earlier!

According to the official website, www.tournamentofroses.com, "This uniquely American event began as a promotional effort by Pasadena's distinguished Valley Hunt Club. In the winter of 1890, the club members brainstormed ways to promote the "Mediterranean of the West." They invited their former East Coast neighbors to a mid-winter holiday, where they could watch games such as chariot races, jousting, foot races, polo and tug-of-war under the warm California sun. The abundance of fresh flowers, even in the midst of winter, prompted the club to add another showcase for Pasadena's charm: a parade would precede the competition, where entrants would decorate their carriages with hundreds of blooms. The Tournament of Roses was born."

The quote from the website, "In New York, people are buried in snow," announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club meeting. "Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise." about the people in New York are buried in the snow really held true this year!

Watching the Rose Parade from the sidewalk is free but tickets for the Rose Bowl game is about $145 each. At this point, I am not putting this item on my Bucket List. It would have been if I was the winner of the recent $380 millions Mega lottery! Here is to a Rosy 2011. Let's banish worry and all the bad things from the past and start fresh. We should not let doubt and fear determine how we should live. Let's have fun, laugh often, sing joyfully and ready for the new adventure.