Semper Fi

Last Thursday I went to the Marine Corps Sunset Parade at the Marine Barracks, conveniently located about two blocks from my work. I was a little cranky because it was hotter than heck outside and we didn't have a good view of the festivities due to people's heads in our way (the nerve!). Also there were a buttload of Boy Scouts in attendance, although they were surprisingly well behaved. (I say surprisingly because where hundreds of adolescent boys are gathered, I imagine utter chaos.)

A sea of Boy Scouts filled the stands in different colored caps.

Established in 1801, the historic "8th & I" Barracks is the oldest U.S. Marine post in the world.

Apparently watch towers aren't used exclusively in prisons.

We saw the Marine Corps Band and the Silent Drill Team. It was a good show, even though I could barely see anything. This is really the only picture that didn't come out fuzzy. And I was holding the camera above my head.

P.S. You'll notice some changes in the design of this blog. I began browsing through some of the new templates, clicked on one to see what it looked like, and suddenly my whole blog changed and I wasn't able to change it back to what I had. So I guess I'm stuck with it. Oh well, it is starting to grow on me.

Happy Birthday, America!

I always enjoy reading accounts of how John Adams predicted that Americans would be celebrating Independence Day "with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore." (Although he thought the celebration would be held on the 2nd of July, the day Congress voted to declare independence.) His foresight is almost eerie, but I also feel as if we're somehow connected with him and the rest of the Founding Fathers by celebrating our independence the way we do. I take comfort in the fact that it's something they would've approved of, and not some garish over-the-top display as is typical with Americans today.

Last night I watched the fireworks from, where else, the United States Capitol building. No matter how many times I've seen it, I'm continually awestruck by the sight of fireworks over our fair city.

Waiting for the show to start...the reflection of the sunset off the Capitol building was lovely.

All of my fireworks pictures came out fuzzy. This one is the most clear.

The city was hot and crowded (more so than normal), but I'd say it was worth the trek. I hope everyone had an enjoyable 4th of July!