The Parade and More...Happy Birthday America!
(Sunday July 4, 2010)
Today some of us watched family members who were in the Parade in Nevada City, while other family members opted to enjoy the afternoon at Bullard's Bar. It's nice that the local cities keep the Independence Day tradition alive. We have many fond memories of attending parades as children with our parents, and then bringing our children to watch it. Mel's father's truck even carried organization floats in the parade. I remember Indian "Chief" Louis Kelly wearing his beautiful Indian head dress. And how about the Queen of the Fourth in the parade? Today was different from what we remember, but it was nice to watch and celebrate America's 234th birthday, and admirable that so many people put forth the effort.
Jonathon Meredith is Uncle Sam on stilts? Wow!
John Hart's on the job taking great photos for the Union, and I'm right behind him next to the Judges booth doing the same. It's a great spot.
There would be no freedom without the brave.
Grand Marshal Rich Brooks and his wife ride in style.
The Band plays on...while Mr. Green does his skit regarding pollution.
Nevada Union High School cheerleaders are wonderful!
My favorite Internet search engine....whatever.
And here come our girls with the Tea Party Patriots. I was so busy taking photos that I didn't notice they were holding the sign at the front. Cheryl was even waving her flag to get my attention. The sunshine was getting to me....
When you think about it, the Tea Party Patriots represent what Independence Day is all about. Looking back into history you get a vision of the tension that had been mounting between the ruling Kingdom of Great Britain and the American Colonies. The British government had passed a series of laws in an attempt to increase control over the colonies. But Americans had become used to controlling their local government. They objected to the new laws and protested being taxed without their consent. So the Revolutionary War (or American War of Independence) began in 1775 that ended with the signing of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
In other words, the recognition of human rights and freedom that eventually led to the creation of America's Constitution that was signed into law September 17, 1787. "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
George Washington said, "The power under the Constitution will always be in the people. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their servants can and undoubtedly will be recalled."
Concerning it's interpretation, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "On every question of construction, let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed." In other words, this nations laws should be interpreted in accordance with what the writers intended, not according to modern political persuasions and agendas.
Yep..the sun is getting to us so we head for a cool spot and drink a few steps away.
...And when we emerge from the shaft, guess who we run into?
Mom! Couldn't you see me waving my flag to get your attention?
Papa demonstrates how it's done.
Our Congressman Tom McClintock.
Do you know how many Parades have passed in front of the National Hotel?
This llama would probably like to get rid of the pants...
The smallest gymnasts do their stuff.
Nevada County Search and Rescue.
Hi there! Do I know you?
Wonder if they'll go in the water when they leave here.
The Democrat Party keeping pace, along with Independents, Libertarians Republicans and Wannabe's.
And here's the band again.
The parade is about over. While the girls retrieved theirs and our car to find a closer parking place, we ordered dinner for all of us. The timing was perfect. So was the food.
Time to go home. Broad Street's pretty deserted now. About all that's left is the Fur Trader bug parked in front of their store. Glad we made it to the Parade. It's been a delightful afternoon with lots of people we don't know....with the exception of two of our best friends.
Meanwhile...
Tim, Margie, Timmy, Amanda, Brent and Maggie spent their afternoon fishing, swimming, and skimming over the refreshing water at Bullard's Bar.
Maggie seems a little skeptical and looks at Amanda for reassurance.
It's been a wonderful Fourth of July celebration for all of us no matter no matter who, or what we chose to do on this beautiful day. Happy Birthday everyone!