Meet Tanto, with whom I celebrated Veteran's Day by walking together in the parade held every year in Albany, Oregon. Tanto is up for adoption and a sweeter little dog you'll never find.
This float, from the
Albany Carousel Project,
contained a gorgeous hand-carved greyhound who will eventually grace
the finished Victorian carousel under construction. I had a good look at
him because we were stalled nearby for 45 minutes at the beginning of
the parade.
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| The rest of the photos in this post were taken by John because he actually watched the parade. |
You can't see me because I was off to the side working the crowd for donations, but this was the contingent from Safe Haven Humane Society.
This small town Veteran's Day parade involved lots of motorcycles, notably the
Patriot Guard Riders, who are quite active in Oregon, attending the far-too-many funerals of fallen soldiers.
Local marching bands were featured.
Many groups were there to support the military, but I find it chilling to look at the young boys in this picture.
This tableau included a kid in a flak vest and automatic weapon, plus a re-enactment of Iwo Jima, plus a guy in a WWI uniform, plus...a bulldog? OK, why not? If you're going to glorify war, why not add some levity to the whole thing?
A hand-painted sign decorated this big boy.
I enjoyed being in the parade even if the milieu was a bit strange.
This float, from the Albany Carousel Project,
contained a gorgeous hand-carved greyhound who will eventually grace
the finished Victorian carousel under construction. I had a good look at
him because we were stalled nearby for 45 minutes at the beginning of
the parade.
It looks a little chilly!
ReplyDeleteIt was cold today, with some wind, and not much sun. The dogs all had sweaters.
DeleteI hope Tanto finds a good home.
ReplyDeleteTanto has all-good habits and an endearing personality. Unfortunately his physical looks cause people to pass him by. He has great inner beauty & if you spend 3 minutes with him you see it.
Deletetanto is a sweet little one. an interesting mix in that parade. to see the young men re-enacting scenes makes you think how many have died too young.
ReplyDeleteYeah it was eerie seeing the boys act the parts of warriors. Gave me the chills on an already-cold day.
DeleteLook at that last shot. Ha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice parade. Cheers!
Thanks Reya. I like that shot too.
DeleteI hope Tanto finds his furr-ever home! What a sweetie pie. Looks like a wonderful day of celebrating. You got some terrific shots here!
ReplyDeleteI have my fingers crossed for Tanto. What a guy.
DeleteMost of the photos are John's, and he did a great job. (The two that are mine are of Tanto and the greyhound.)
However folks remember our Vets, is a good thing. Tanto is a cutie.
ReplyDeleteThat's right Hilary. As I walked down the 2 mile stretch of this parade I saw many faces of vets, some very care-worn. They should be honored.
Delete...although I was uncomfortable with innocent young boys playing the soldier extremely seriously.
DeleteI hope you got a lot of donations ...
ReplyDeleteI hate asking people for money, but decided to get in the spirit of things with the friendly crowds lining the streets. I gave them two choices: adopt one of these dogs or donate! I got a lot of laughs and a whole bunch of money.
DeleteStrange to glorify war by using children, as if they are the next bastions of your country's fictional safety. I am all for remembrance but i don't see how dressing up local kids in military uniforms is remembrance. Maybe it is a way of getting more donations. I hope so...
ReplyDeleteSaul
I just looked up Young Marines & it is a youth program sponsored by the Marines. They have an anti-drug emphasis, but mostly it's a sort of para-military youth group designed along the lines of Boy Scouts. The 26 hour orientation, spaced over a few weeks, is led mostly by former marines & is "affectionately" called "Boot Camp." There they learn "history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness, and military rank structure." No doubt that they all hope, one day, to join the Marines.
DeleteI think it's great to honor our soldiers and vets for their service, but grooming 10-year-olds to take their place is a bit scary.