Memorial Day

The Memorial Day Parade was very nice.  I went with my roommate Pete and our friend Kristin.  We made it to Constitution Ave. two hours before the parade was set to start, and camped out in a prime location to see the parade under a great shade tree.  What we hadn't expected was for dozens of people to decide it was okay to stand half way in the road just to our right where the parade was coming from.  Really?  It was the only area that people where standing so close, and they were repeatedly asked to move back.  I felt bad for several individuals that were camped out next to us that were in wheelchairs, and had been there for nearly as long as we were, and may have been Veterans themselves.  We were told everyone was to be moved back when the parade began, but our nearest officer didn't seem to mind.  The parade itself was great though, with Veterans present from multiple wars, bands from across the country, Gary Sinise, Buzz Aldrin, some American Idol contestant, and Miss America all occupying floats honoring our troops.  I may not have enough time to really take in the Arlington National Cemetery today, so I think I will save that for next weekend when it likely will not be as heavily trafficked, and I can spend at least a couple of hours in the area.  Tomorrow I will be starting my internship at 9:00 in the morning, and I will also be attending my first class, The Federal Budget, from 6:30-9:30 in the evening.  Tomorrow equals a twelve and a half hour day for me, and I am looking forward to it!!