Memorial Day parade etiquette rant.

[Kallison]

OK so what happened to getting off your duff at the start of the parade when the color guard comes down the street with the veterans. I told my two guys, get up take off your baseball hats. I think that we were the only people under the age of 70 who stood up -- just shocking to me.

It is a tradition in our town to throw candy to the bystanders. I had a group of about 6 kids, very excited of course to get candy who stood in the street about 1/4 of the way out the entire parade -- while two young moms took their pictures, danced around etc. GEtting quite close to the wheels of some of the cars. There were huge fire trucks, tanks, etc. Several times people marching would shoo them back, especially when the h.s. bands came through. Not to mention being completely rude to us, we had to look at their backs and couldn't see a thing until it was directly in front of us. At one point my MOm and I both yelled -- get her -- to a little toddler who had her back to the street and was dancing and twirling around getting very close to a car. I ended up driving in the last car in the parade when it came by, and believe me you have no idea whether or not these kids are going to stop when they get that close, even though you are going very slow. My middle DS turned to me and said "I guess if one of those kids gets hit that will ruin us ever getting candy at parades again".

Then there was this woman who was screaming and yelling when one of the school bands came by, jumping up and down, taking pictures, calling the kids by name, completely embarrassing them -- oh wait that was me yelling to my students........

 

[sunni]

Don't you know that good manners and proper etiquette are out of style and old-fashioned?

Good luck with future parades. They no longer throw candy in our town because parents don't keep their kids back at the curb. It has become too dangerous.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i dont think they throw candy here anymore either

 

[Princess Dot]

Along the same lines, I was so upset at the actions of some of the adults today at the ceremony following the parade in our town. While one of our WWII vets was speaking about the importance of the day, several parents were just yaking away to each other (very loudly) completly ignoring this man on a day meant for celebrating our veterans. I was standing with my kids trying to keep them quiet and urging them to pay attention, yet these "adults" thought nothing of ignoring the speaker and continuing to talk to each other as if no one was around.

I just don't understand people some times.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

Originally posted by Kallison
Then there was this woman who was screaming and yelling when one of the school bands came by, jumping up and down, taking pictures, calling the kids by name, completely embarrassing them -- oh wait that was me yelling to my students........

And me today also!
It was my DD's last Memorial Day parade as a Senior Colorguard Captain! She graduates next Saturday, I'll miss yelling her name when she marches by!

 

[C.Ann]

While I have to admit that we did not "stand" last year at the 4th of July parade here in the mountains, I made sure that we all had flags (including my 4 yr. old granddaughter) and whenever the verterans and/or military marched by we waved our flags like crazy, whistled and clapped..

The "candy throwing" things is big here as well but we would NOT let our granddaughter venture out to get it.. Either the adults went out and got it for her or we simply took what landed right in front of her.. Even at that, we ended up with an ENTIRE grocery shopping bag FULL of candy! I'm a WRECK watching those kids dash out there close to the moving vehicles..

We also shared candy with little ones near us who were in strollers and such..

 

[jjskribs]

The behaviors that you are describing are the result of a complete lack of discipline. I see it everyday in my school. I can't believe what many parents consider acceptable behavior. I don't think that some of my students have ever heard the word "NO." I hate to be a pessimist but I don't think that things are going to change.

 

[disykat]

We went to a parade recently and no one stood for the color guard either. It was really strange, the color guard was not at the beginning of the parade. I think people were confused. The firetrucks and the motorcyclists were first and many of them had flags as well.

At our local parade in the summer, we usually sit at the beginning of the route. We make a production about standing so people around us do too. In our parade though, the color guard is at the beginning of the parade so it is obviously seperate and the "official" flag.

The other thing that horrifies me every time I go to a parade is the GARBAGE. Even with cans all over the place people just leave their trash right on the sidewalk.

 

[Van Helsing]

Can ask what is the significance of throwing candy ?

thanks

 

[BabyTigger99]

At the parade we were at, everyone was standing, it was wonerful to see the support for the troops. My DS4 also salutes when the flag goes by (ala JFK Jr.), it is too precious!! The lead group with the flag was about 6 troops from a reserves unit who just returned a couple months ago, and when one of them saw DS, she came running over from the other side of the street just to give him a flag! He ended up with about 4 little flags, because every time a group would walk by with them, he would put the one he had in his bag so he could get another. One of the best things in our parade is the Good Humor truck that rolls by and passes out popsicles to everyone, but my favorite is the candy company that hans out mini meltaway bars!! Unfortunatly, we only stayed for half the parade, as the sky opened up on us, and we got soaked!!

 

[monkeyboy]

I was at a parade where they threw bagels

One of the floats was sponsored by a bagel store.



I ALWAYS stand and applaud the Vets

 

[Kallison]

Originally posted by Van Helsing
Can ask what is the significance of throwing candy ?

thanks

No significance, just fun to get. I threw out dog biscuits for the fur babies.

 

[nkjzmom]

Many moons ago I was in the color guard/flag corp....as captain in my senior year I very frankly told my squad, "These people know we're coming, they know we are twirling 6 foot poles with flags attached to them....it's their responsibility to get out of our way." People just didn't move.....I have accidentally hit people with my flag.

As far as standing....we always do...and we clap and whistle and wave our flags. I love that feeling as the guard passes by...my eyes always tear up.