By Carol Lucas
Last week seemed to be endlessly focused on the upcoming military parade honoring the Army’s 250th birthday that coincided with the birthday of the 47th president of this country.
People on the left side of the political spectrum were enraged about the amount of money being spent for this gala (an estimated $45 million), especially given the hue and cry by this administration regarding budget cutting. They asserted that this spectacle was strictly use of the armed service men as a prop to glorify 47 on his birthday.
Those on the right justified this “parade” by espousing what they saw as “patriotism” for the armed forces protecting our country. Furthermore, they said, this was ample proof that the left doesn’t hold the same kind of respect for those in uniform as does the right.
Just another day in the park, so to speak.
But let’s take a moment to parse all of this just a bit. The parade plan was contested early on because 47 insisted upon having tanks as part of the grandeur. Those opposed offered some very good reasons, not the least of which dealt with the possible destruction of the roads as well as the Memorial Bridge. But even more important, what about the impression this would make?
Tanks with soldiers marching behind reek of the kind of posturing associated with China, Russia and North Korea. Those critics who see 47 as pandering to (craving, say some) a dictatorship declared this kind of display underscores that contention.
Roughly 7,000 troops were to march from Arlington, some wearing uniforms that represented the major wars of our country. A parachute team was scheduled to jump into the Ellipse and hand a flag to the president. However, the storms predicted a possible upending of that.
That troops had been deployed to Los Angeles a few days before acted as a backdrop in the minds of those who objected to the parade. This was a messy situation to begin with, and the sight of troops and tanks in the nation’s capital only underscored the scenes that had occupied the television screen night after night the week before.
The idea that active-duty U.S. Marines as well as the California National Guard had been sent by the president, in defiance of Governor Newsom, was a divisive tactic at best, resulting in what is sure to become a legal battle.
It’s worthwhile to note that the Vietnam Veterans of America refused to participate, saying they refused to be a prop.
Sadly, what should have been a celebration of the Army’s legacy became a politicized tug of war. Had the parade been held on any other day, would it have been received differently?
My guess is no, and my reasons are numerous. First, let’s remember that this is the man who called those in the service “suckers and losers.” He stood at the graves of many who gave their lives and delivered these words to a retired general. And speaking of generals, how many has he simply dismissed, tossed aside?
It was this man who ridiculed statesman John McCain by saying that he (47) didn’t have any time for those who were captured.
And his trip to Fort Bragg days before the parade? Listen closely to his speech because it is nothing more than a regurgitation of his campaign speeches.
That he is seen as a draft dodger certainly doesn’t affirm his dedication as Commander-in-Chief … and this is no digression.
When I began this piece, I was floundering for a title. This happens often. I do admit, however, that early on, the song “I Love a Parade” had lodged itself in my brain. So I decided to do a little research as to the origins of this melody.
What I found was this: “I Love a Parade” is not a song from a single musical. It’s a popular song written by Ted Koehler with music by Harold Arlen, and was originally introduced in the 1931 “Cotton Club Revue.”
But, dear reader, perhaps the best definition is that which follows. “I Love a Parade” is a Merrie Melodies cartoon from Hugh Harmon-Rudolf Ising Productions, and distributed by Warner Bros. The title tune is played throughout the short with various circus acts going on. You can draw your own conclusions.
Hopefully I didn’t rain on your parade.
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
