Day 1246: An American Flag

One of the best parts about being an Alumni of a High School Band is the opportunity you're given to continue to help serve the community on important days like today: Memorial Day. For the past two years I helped by carrying the banner, and while that was my intent today as well, unfortunately a bad ankle kept me from marching. Instead I helped out by filming the entire event, per usual, and attended the ceremony complete in my red marching polo to match the group. 

However, as I stood across the room from hundreds in my town, I couldn't help but feel sort of bothered. The stands weren't full, not by a long shot, and certainly not like at basketball games. Many of those there were parents of band members or those who are family members to those that have served or are serving.

I know for a fact that my town is much large enough to fill that entire room, and then some, but where was everyone? Here I was, supporting the band, which was supporting our country in the best way I know how, and the large majority of my town was skipping out on the day, sleeping in or heading up North or, in all honesty, just doing nothing. 

So I ask of you, my blog readers, what did you do this Memorial Day? 

Have a magical day! 

Day 875: So Inspiring

I don't think I truly understood the importance of Memorial Day until two years ago, during my senior year of high school. The blog post I wrote that day was short, and you can read it HERE, but it's still absolutely true. On this Memorial Day I happened to think back to that day, which is probably one of the most memorable days of my life. I even wrote about it in my memoir at the end of my senior year, talking about how it would be pictured as a scene in a movie, simply because that was the only way to describe how it felt.

Our High School Band has a long tradition of performing in both the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in our little city, something I participated in for 7 years, both as a Middle Schooler and High Schooler, and now for the last two years as an alumni volunteer. Why am I always there, helping with uniforms and carrying a banner and filming the band? Well, for one, my Mom is in charge or the uniforms so it kind of comes with living in this house, and secondly I am a music major, so it definitely makes sense. But beyond that, helping on Memorial Day is important to me because of that realization I had two years ago, and it's certainly a realization and appreciation that has come with a little help from Disney.

But first let me tell you a story. It's not a terribly interesting story, but I do believe it helps get the point across here. Back when I was in Middle School, I honestly didn't like marching in the Memorial Day Parade. It took a lot of effort, keeping people in line and everything that came along with it. It meant getting up early on my day off to go and march down the street with my instrument. Everyone else got to sleep in or have the entire day off of school but no, my friends and I had to be downtown at 8 in the morning, ready for the parade. When I reached High School, it meant getting into our terrible uniforms and marching in the heat. Still on our day off, only now it was also now unbearably hot. Wonderful. I lived that way until my senior year, when I stood at the top of my ladder as drum major and looked around to see how many people it was really impacting. Sure, I had to pay attention to directing, but as members of the service stood during our performance of Armed Forces Salute, including the five main service themes, I couldn't help but glance at the crowd. We were making so many happy, just by being there and taking part in the service. Of course, at that point I'd already decided to pursue music in college, so I have a greater appreciation for music in elements like this already, but something still clicked in my head.

And that's why I still go back and volunteer for the band, even if it means getting up at 7 in the morning to be on time. The band has provided me with countless opportunities that I'll forever be grateful for, and Memorial Day is one of the moments the band has a chance to give back to the community that supports them. And if I learned anything in my time as Drum Major and President of that band, it's that a marching band is nothing without support from the community.

There was one other thing that came to mind as I sat in this year's Memorial Day Ceremony, however: a quote from John Steinbeck. "We now face the danger, which in the past has been the most destructive to the humans: success, plenty, comfort and ever-increasing leisure. No dynamic people has ever survives these dangers."

I like to remember that quote, which you may recognize from The American Adventure at Epcot, when I feel like I'm pretty successful in whatever I'm doing. Yes, I may find success, but with that comes the danger that I will forget where I come from and push the important things aside. I could have a leisurely day at home instead of running around leading a drum line through a high school hallway, resulting in some hearing loss, but what would the fun in that be? And more importantly, is that really the right way to honor those who have served our country and made my success possible?

Oh, and just for old times sake, here's an old picture of me from my senior year in band. As you can see, I was really photogenic.

Have a magical day!

Day 147: Memorial Day

It seems that this time of year holds a lot of "lasts," and today is no exception. This morning I marched in my final Memorial Day parade in my hometown, and it was, as all of my senior performances have been, special. I absolutely love my role as drum major, and getting to lead the entire band one last time was a bittersweet moment. I can't express how proud of them I am and how far they've come both over the past four years of my high school career and especially within the last one.

Even in just our Memorial Day Performances, I have noticed a drastic change. We have the parade and then a standstill, and the respect our group showed off this year was great...even if we couldn't decide whether to stand or sit that one time. But the steps were high enough and everyone sounded great. Standing on top of my ladder for the last time, I couldn't help but smile. We were making a lot of people really, really happy.

Having the privilege to direct at that ceremony brought a lot of joy to me, because that's what it was, a privilege. There was a fifth grader who gave an absolutely wonderful speech about her favorite freedom, the freedom of religion, and I totally agreed with her. But her speech encompassed more than just that one freedom. I think she really was talking about all freedom in the words she spoke, and it was honestly the best essay I have ever heard at a Memorial Day Ceremony...and I've heard a lot of those speeches.

Either way, I am very proud to be an American, and I want to take a moment to thank all of our Veterans, fallen soldiers, those currently serving and those who will serve in the future. You keep our freedoms, well, free, and you give everyone great opportunities, including me and my opportunity to lead my band over the past year. Thank you for everything you do.

Here's today's Disney History: 2011: Mickey's Soundsational parade makes its official debut at Disneyland. Yesterday, May 26, guests were given an unannounced preview of the new parade. The nine-float affair kicks off Disney Soundsational Summer, which will also include the openings of The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure and Star Tours, along with the new experiences at the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier.

Have a magical day!