posted on Nov, 13 2012 @ 02:07 PM
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