Denver 2010 Memorial Day Parade

It was a beautiful Saturday on Memorial Day Weekend when the Colorado Sons of the American Revolution, under the direction of David Mann, Color Guard Commander lead his men through the streets of downtown Denver in honor of our Veterans and Service men and women.

Also in attendance where Colorado members of Smokey Hill Trail Chapter, and Piney Creek Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Pictured above are Smokey Hill Trail Chapter Daughters

Both Chapters passed out American flags, booklets of the U.S. Constitution, stickers and patriotic necklaces to parade attendees and especially all veterans attending the parade.

Smokey Hill Trail Daughters (R) prepare with two Daughters of Piney Creek Chapter (L) above.

Parade pictures were taken by David Hudspeth and Christine McClintock.

To This Daughter, Veterans Day is a time to reflect the men and women who have in our countries history given of themselves in defense of our country. We honor them not just today, but everyday. I always take the time to thank any member of the military, police, fire and other services for their great sacrifice and devotion to The United States of America.

I remember a time when the Veterans of the Vietnam War were returning home. They were not greeted with fanfare, flags and words of thanks. This bothered me so very much. Yes, it was an unpopular war, but these young men and women had served still the same. I vowed as a young girl to make a difference when I got older. I am doing that today with service to Homes For Our Troops.org and through the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

George Washington was quoted as saying, "We will be remembered by how we treat our Veterans." I have always taken these words to heart, and strived to make a difference. I have run across some veterans who tell me often that I am only the first or second person in their whole lives who has ever thanked them. "Let it not be the last," I always reply.

Thank-you, men and women of the United States Military and Service Organizations for protecting us, for being true men and women of valor. We honor you.

God Bless the United States of America.

Afterwards we took over a British Pub for lemonade and lunch, much to the delight of the owner.

Visit Rest of the Terrific Photostream of the Parade on Flickr HERE

Colorado Hummingbird 2010 - All Rights Reserved

Preserving Symbols of the Past - Fighting A New Meaning

Yesterday, I joined the Sons of the American Revolution in their drill and practice for the Denver Memorial Day Parade. We have been given the honor of first position in the parade. For the most part yesterday was a wonderful time for all, with shared stories of the great sacrifice and service of each of our grandfathers, grandmothers and family members during the American Revolution.

Conversation always turns to other time periods in American history, and I always come away with a new understanding of history. Being a student of history, it is a kin to oh...a Star Wars Convention. We all have props and antiques over 200 years old, bayonets, swords, powder horns and that is just the what the men carry. We ladies, being Daughters of the American Revolution have dresses, bonnets, mop caps and other articles from the Revolution as well. Much time and preparation goes into being a rein actor and we are always well received.

However as we marched, practicing our marching wheels, paying attention to form and presentation. A neighbor of one of the participants came out of his house to let us know he was not happy to see us. That is quite the understatement. Keep in mind that the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution are historical preservation lineage societies. We each can trace our families back to one and most often several people who fought in the American Revolution. One of mine wrote the Declaration of Independence. We are patriotic, which goes almost without saying. We do not ascribe to one particular modern political party or belief system. We are as diverse as our ancestors. Some of us are Democrats, Republicans and members of other parties. We gather because of our deep love for this country and not that which divides it.

At first, because the wind was blowing so hard and the flags slapping, we were only paying attention to our drills. The man on his front step seemed to became more agitated. We could not hear him as he began to scream at us and wave his fist. So onward we traveled back to our sponsors house. We all came into the house and had a wonderful barbecue.

Soon, the phone rang and it went to voice mail. We all stood there listening, to the neighbor who was so upset began a horrific rant. He accused of of subversion, being un-American, tearing our country apart and resented our attempts to assemble in the neighborhood and on the street where his house was located. He clearly stated that he knew we were carrying antique guns and weaponry. He told us not to do this in the future. The man made his opionions quite clear and that was we were not welcome in the neighborhood and on the streets and cul-de-sacs. Please keep in mind we have to have safe streets to practice, as we will be marching down the middle of downtown Denver in a week.

This man identified his political affiliation in the rant, which are not important to my point here. What is upsetting is the association of the symbols of the American Revolution we carry as our families did. Simple flags which have been recently attached to new agendas and political viewpoints have acquired a new Master Status, with meanings which have been adopted by the newly formed Tea Party Movement. Many of you have seen the coverage on the news recently of 'Tea Party' demonstrations where many of the participants are carrying the Gadsden," Do Not Tread on Me," as well as many historical flags.

In the various news coverages as well as in person, I have seen shots of where even President Washington's naval flag was being carried by some of these individuals. I have had occasion to inquire of some of them, simply asking if they understood the history or meaning being the flags they carried? Many of them, no I will go one further, most of them, do not know the first thing about the standards and flags they carry. One time I witnessed people carrying the Culpepper flag. I stoped and inquired from the people carrying it. Do you know what you are carrying and what the history of the flag is?, I asked. I kid you not. They told me, "the flag was 'flown only once in one battle in Pennsylvania, and did not really mean anything."

Okay, how about noooo! I took a little time that day to teach a some history. I am a Culpepper by blood and know exactly who carried it, and were they lived. Let's say there is a county named after us in Virginia. The Culpeppers were fierce. They apologized and folded the flag when I was done with the history lesson. I did not have to get angry to educate. Which is what the SAR and DAR do.

Now back to the neighbor.

He threatened all of us and told us we were tearing our country apart and we would be sorry for what we doing and wishing for, as we clearly to him represented the new destructive movement of the Tea Party.

I speak for many of us, when I state that those who pull symbols of our very rich past and heritage using them attaching new meaning, are making a huge mistake. Not only will the people who oppose you politically not appreciate your use of our shared symbols, but we who know what they mean will call you out on it.

Why? Because we are the blood of those who first carried them. In fact conceived of them. We have a right to bear arms, even if they are antiques, and to assemble peacefully in public, to freedom of speech, and to celebrate the rich history which is the United States of America.

My advice. Do not tread on us, or our familes who actually sacrificed their lives and treasure so you could stand on your front lawn and rant at us. Remember, "United We Stand, Divided We Will All Fall...."

We invite you to join us at the Denver Memorial Day Parade on May 29th, in downtown Denver. We are there to honor the thousands of men and women who fought for our country over it's history, many of them giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Happy Memorial Day

God Bless The United States of America