That's right, I made a fool of myself in Williamsburg this past weekend.

First, a little background. In honor of the three day weekend, my husband, 6 year old son, and I went to Williamsburg, VA. We spent the three days exploring the area and trying to entertain our son (apparently, history isn't very interesting when you are really young). Beautiful area, my husband and I enjoyed it tremendously.

Sunday evening, we stop at a tavern for supper in the colonial part of Williamsburg. There's a Veteran's parade planned for later, and we are going to attend. At the tavern, I noticed the drink "ale," on the menu. Now, I've read countless novels discussing ale and so I decided to try it.

I didn't know it was beer. I've never had an alcoholic beverage in my life. I only took three swallows (it tasted horrible, how do you guys drink it???) but apparently that was enough to get my emotions going.

So we left the tavern and lined up to watch the parade. Pretty soon we could hear the sounds of the approaching drums and fifes. And here they came, dressed in Revolutionary garb, playing their instruments, looking grand. That was nice. But the really incredible part, behind the performers, any and all military veterans were encouraged to march along.

I don't know who started clapping, but I joined right in. There were so many people marching; young and old, healthy and infirm, even many in wheelchairs. I happened to look one older gentlemen in the eye; he was in a wheelchair and most likely a WWII vet. He had tears streaming down his face.

Well, that did it for me. I started sobbing like someone had just killed my best friend. And I don't mean the sobbing with quiet dignity; I was loud. Everyone turned around to stare at me, but that didn't stop the water works. I was bawling at the top of my lungs and simply didn't care who heard.

Well, to make a long story short, my husband escorted me back to the hotel room. Ale is now on my "no-no" list, and I got put to bed early and allowed to sleep late (which was wonderful).

So why the emotion? Maybe the ale had something to do with it....maybe not. I remember in high school, when we visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., I did the same thing.

To those who have served our country in any capacity....thank you. To those who stayed behind while their loved ones served....thank you. To those who've lost loved ones.....thank you. Words aren't enough, but they're all I have. Thank you, a thousand times over.

Now I've got to go wipe my eyes. Blubbering like a baby, AGAIN.

smylee

3 sips of beer won't get you intoxicated no matter who you are.


If it's happened before during other war-related experiences, it sounds like something personal and not because of the ale.

That's because Alcohol helps you express your feeling freely. Something in your past must have triggered these emotions.

So what did you do to make a fool of yourself. Just because you got a little emotional doesn't mean anyone will care, they will forget it in an hour. You did write it here though where it will haunt you forever.

you should have finish the ale, then had a few more. Nothing would have bothered you after that.

Originally posted by smyleegrl
To those who have served our country in any capacity....thank you. To those who stayed behind while their loved ones served....thank you. To those who've lost loved ones.....thank you. Words aren't enough, but they're all I have. Thank you, a thousand times over.

No, Thank you. We (me at least) don't get to hear such heart felt thanks for the service we (me) performed very often. It's good to hear.

I weep when I'm sober watching such displays.

The difference is I'm weeping at the horror of the levels of brainwashing that infects so many who are willing to die for a "country" (whatever that means these days) that has a sadistically evil agenda.....



Just waiting for the next round of slaughtering innocent people to get started.

I'd also like to know which muslim/brown country is taking away our freedoms? I thought the President, Congress, and the courts handled all aspects of "freedom".
It's a different era of wars now, it's not about enemy forces marching onto our streets taking away our freedoms, it's about doing that to others while claiming they are going to do that to us.

No way are you a fool. Drum and fife corps do that to me as well, there is something about being dressed in the early american costume and the music, well, it just swells your heart. Add to that the dignity, pride and grief of a veteran,
I am right there with you sobbing.

We were lucky enough to have the Alton Illinois Drum and Fife Corp, come to our Nursing Home when I was working as an Rn there. The joy on the faces of those elderly folk, broke me like a twig, I sobbed like a baby the whole time they marched up and and down the hallways playing. Was one of the most moving things I'd ever seen.

Originally posted by JibbyJedi
I weep when I'm sober watching such displays.

The difference is I'm weeping at the horror of the levels of brainwashing that infects so many who are willing to die for a "country" (whatever that means these days) that has a sadistically evil agenda.....

You don't understand, the tragedy of war isn't only the killing, it's the aftermath; what becomes of the troops. Veterans are the pinnacle of the tragedy that is life.

Aww, I think that's kind of nice, Smyleegrl. A friend and I were just discussing how strange it is, to be deeply patriotic to your country, but not to your government. I still have a great love of America and Americans, despite the utter tripe that comes out of Washington these days.

I feel you! I am an emotional basket case when it come to veterans and soldiers, I cry like a baby too.

It's ok!

I cry for those commercials too.

I even cried at the last baseball game I went to, it was heros night.

Thank you vets and soldiers....I love you!

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not... Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:2;9-10

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
Psalm 34:17-19 NIV

Weep with them who weep.
Romans 12:15

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me.
Psalm 138:3

You are certainly not a fool. There is a lot to cry about in the world. If they sat and thought about what has become of this world anyone with an ounce of compassion would do nothing but cry.

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

By the way did you get to visit any haunted places?

Originally posted by Josephus

By the way did you get to visit any haunted places?

Not really. I didn't want to take my son "ghost hunting" and traumatize him for life. But I did buy a book about local legends the first night there, read it that evening, and we visited the places the next day. Didn't see or feel anything of consequence, except one very bored child who wanted to know if it was time to go swimming yet.

Still had an awesome time!