Monday, May 31, 2010

Newtown Remembers




We're fortunate to live close enough to walk to Newtown's annual Memorial Day Parade. It was a blessing to gather together and remember the brave men and women who fought and died in defense of our country. This is just a few of the pictures that I took this morning. I was touched by the proud but thinning ranks of WWII veterans. I was also touched by the scene in the top picture of a mother and child but also a photo in her purse of a man in uniform (a grandfather perhaps?)


This is my Face of the Week post if you would like to see others please click here.

36 comments:

Naquillity said...

glad you were able to watch the parade and share these wonderful photos. our soldiers/ veterans should be remembered for all they've sacrificed. hope all is well. have a great day.

Thérèse said...

Yes, we can only be touched by these pictures!

imac said...

What a wonderful parade.

Owen said...

Beautifully touching reporting James, the lady with her boy, but only a photo of his Dad there... very sad... yet still clutching that flag... Couldn't help but make me think of the lines from the song :

And now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me
And I watch my old comrades, how proudly they march
Reliving old dreams of past glory
And the old men march slowly, all bent, stiff and sore
The forgotten old heroes from a forgotten old war
And the young people ask, "What are they marching for?"
And I ask myself the same question

And the band plays Waltzing Matilda
And the old men answer to the call
But year after year their numbers get fewer
Some day no one will march there at all

K(Banterings of a Basketcase) said...

Very fitting! I love the third picture. and Owen, I love the song Waltzing Matilda!

Luis Gomez said...

James, these are beautiful! Very moving images.

Olivier said...

de superbes portraits, la première photo est magnifique

Anonymous said...

Happy Memorial Day to you and Vicki. James these are just wonderful. It really depicts what Memorial Day is all about. From young to old you captured brilliantly. :) I love every one of these photos. :)

~Cheryl said...

Wonderful photos! It does pull on the heart strings knowing the ranks are thinning.

Anonymous said...

The "caution" in the first picture makes indeed speachless. Great photography.
Please have a good start into the new month.

daily athens

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

u look cool up there..

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

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I posted mine, please give some feedback!
cheers!

Marka said...

A fitting memorial post.

Stickup Artist said...

I heard on CNN the other day there are only around 200 WWll Veterans left in the US. Great to see so many represented here. I hope we can all live such long fruitful lives. The first is just so special. The flowers, the photo in the purse, the poses, both holding the flag together. You did a great job here James. Very moving.

Ebie said...

Such a special tribute to the men and women who fought and served. I am not sure if we did a parade here for them.

I see a mixed-emotion-look in their faces.

Stickup Artist said...

Oops. Sorry about the typo. It is the number of surviving WWll Fighter Pilots. Not all WWll veterans. Thanks!

Cezar and Léia said...

Hello James,
Glad to know that you and Vicki had this opportunity to attend this parade, in such a beautiful day,important moment.
Brave honored men!
Wonderful pictures!The first one is so adorable, mother and son together.
hugs
Léia

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Hi,
queste immagini sono veramente molto toccanti... mi ha commosso soprattutyo la foto n.1
Happy day.

Regina said...

A blessed Memorial Day James.
Beautiful tribute.
Have a wonderful week.

Louis la Vache said...

Excellent Memorial Day post, James.
There aren't many of the WWII vets left. «Louis» hopes that as they pass away, we don't let their sacrifice also pass away.

Malyss said...

Moving pictures! I especially love the old man from the navy! (I've have something with the sailors, no matter the age! Ü)

Pat said...

Very beautiful photos and post.

jabblog said...

Old soldiers, sailors, airmen have a dignity that is unsurpassed on occasions such as this.

Suburban Girl said...

I was in your neck of the woods on Monday and saw the parade. I posted about the 1864 baseball game.

Lois said...

Very nice pictures James! My Dad was a WWII veteran and he was always so proud of his service.

Cheryl said...

Wonderful photos James. They left me with tears. Thank you for reminding us what Memorial Day is all about.

Carolyn Ford said...

What a tribute and that top photo is especially touching.

Loree said...

Great tribute. Poignant memories for all the veterans, I'm sure.

kayerj said...

great photo's and a nice reminder for all of us.

Kcalpesh said...

Awesome photos! This is a nice tribute!!

Jim said...

It's so interesting to see how different countries remember their war veterans.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

dianasfaria.com said...

this really is a touching tribute James. & what a nice ode to that woman's loved one by her remembering him in such a special way.

Bettey said...

Great photos and tribute. That first one is really nice :)

Hood Photo Blog

T. Becque said...

What a wonderful series of photos!

Unknown said...

I just came home from watching a parade today. It was nice to share yours also.

Martha said...

Great shots... I was "sad" that the Lansdale parade while they had lots of older Veterans, they all rode in enclosed cars and you could not really get a good look at them. I still have to blog about that day!