Went to the Veterans Day Parade and community covenant. The parade was pretty cool, the kids seem to have a good time and it was an all-around small town sort of event. There were a bunch of WWII veterans there and we owe those people a great debt of gratitude.
Afterwards there was a “Community Covenant” signing that signified some sort of community support for the military. We don’t really have a military base in close proximity but it is always nice to show support for those that serve. All of the City Councilman were called up to sign the document – well all but me for some reason – and many of the County supervisors. I don’t take myself so seriously that it offends me but I would rather have not sat there for an hour and a half if they weren’t going to have me participate. I use the weekends to catch up on my business since I spend so much time during the week on City matters and those hours are precious. Next time I’ll attend the parade and get on with it.
Hope everyone that went had a great time!
November 7, 2009 at 6:26 pm
We may not have a military base close by, but there are quite a few cars with the DOD access sticker on. So in sense, signing the Covenant also expresses support for the active duty military and retired, and their families. I am glad the City signed it.
Personally, Andy, I am a bit offended the Vice Mayor did not get called up. It might seem petty, but hey, you do hold that title and in the event of absence or incapacity of the Mayor, it is a big load dropped on your shoulders. After 90 minutes, I suppose they were rushing to get it done, and an example of haste makes waste.
November 8, 2009 at 12:20 am
Great turnout today, I was happy to see so many people out there. It was also great to see all the WWII vets out there, especially some that could still fit in their uniforms!
As for the Covenant, I think it was poor planning because the event is so new. I know I could hardly hear anything and I was working a table under the pavilion. I did have a lot of people say that they didn’t even know the parade was going on today, hopefully the next one will have a even greater turn out.
November 8, 2009 at 9:21 am
Yeah, the first time around is always tough. I’m sure the community will support the parade over time. It’s a very appropriate thing to do.
November 8, 2009 at 10:22 am
Thoughts:
– Very disappointed with the poor coverage of this event
by our local newspaper – the News@Messenger. I eagerly
opened Friday’s paper looking for a major article and then
checked the front page “Five things you should know today”
– nothing – same thing Saturday and today. The new weekly
Manassas Observor did have a story and even the Washington
Post had a paragraph in their Weekend section. This
was a major event in our community and our “paper of
record” ignored it. It deserves more publicity and trust this
will be corrected next year.
– Andy, I’m sure there was no intention to slight you. My
understanding from e-mails from the Covenant folks is
that councilmembers needed to “opt in” via e-mail if they
chose to participate in the signing. Certainly can see how wires
could have been crossed, but we all need to take the high road
and .. and .. What the —-! How come Aveni is marching
next to the Mayor IN THE PARADE? Nobody told me about that!
Grrr! Ok, what was I saying about the high road?
– Of course, this wasn’t about us. It was about honoring
those who serve and have served our country in uniform.
As the parade program noted, ” What you have witnessed
today is the culmination of many individuals working together
to honor all veterans and to educate and inspire community
awareness while paying tribute to the service and sacrifices
all veterans have endured in the pursuit of freedom.”
November 8, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I know no slight was intended Steve
November 11, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I fully agree with Steve. It was just one of those inevitable minor mixups when events are young.
November 12, 2009 at 3:19 pm
“First they started an air raid watch out at Percival Lewis’
farm, which was where Manassas Mall is now. Percival
built a little shack for the air wardens. Later on they
established a watch on top of the Town Hall in the cupola.
We had to go up a long hastily built stairway on the outside
of the building and walk across a cat walk on top of the
roof to the cupola. We had a telephone up there and would
keep watch and if there was a plane flying around we
were supposed to describe the plane by pictures that we had
and call Baltimore which was the air raid warning center.”
Walser Rohr
(Echoes of Manassas
by Charles A. Mills)
There apparently were many ways to serve in WWII,
including some right here in Manassas