Memorial Day Parade

Today is Memorial Day. I join with all Americans of every political persuasion in honoring the sacrifice of our fallen heroes, who gave their lives in service to our country.

This is a bitter holiday for all of us who perceive (and are willing to admit, a much smaller group) that this deadly and protracted war in Iraq was not necessary, was not properly planned, has alienated our allies, has made our country less safe, and is not likely to result in a stable country of Iraq, much less a stable Middle East. We support and honor our troops, and pray for their safety and their quick return, and we also pray for a speedy end to this travesty of a war.

Today I marched in a Memorial Day Parade in University Heights, Ohio. I wore a Sherrod Brown tee shirt and a straw hat and walked with one of my dogs, the real yellow dog Sammy, who wore a red bandana with a Sherrod Brown sticker on it. We accompanied a car festooned with Sherrod Brown signs. We handed out Sherrod Brown stickers, tossed candy to children, and waved. Quite a few people cheered and applauded specifically for Sherrod. I was giving stickers mainly to kids, but a tall white-haired man asked for one. I said "Voting for Sherrod?" and he gave me a funny sideways look. "I've got a brain," he replied.


The Strickland people had a terrific banner, and lots of volunteers, even with other parades going on in other locations at the same time. It seemed like a lot of people along the street called out to them, saying things like "Go, Ted!," "He's our guy!" and in one instance "Better than what we got now, that's for sure!"


Stephanie Tubbs Jones was represented by three supporters and a decorated car. I thought I caught a glimpse of her later in a different car, which was following along after the parade, so perhaps she arrived a little late. The man on the right is Chris Nance, a Tubbs Jones aide. A Strickland guy came over before the parade and asked Nance if he could put a Strickland sticker on their car. He said, "No, we can't do that." I asked him later if there were any developments that he could tell me about as a result of the meeting on Friday between Strickland, Tubbs Jones, and Arnold Pinkney. He said no, but discussions are continuing.


This is former representative Barbara Boyd, who is running for her old 9th District seat, in her brother's black Corvette. She usually drives a big red minivan. "You get more respect in a Corvette," she said.


Boyd is running against Rev. Jimmie Hicks Jr, a long time Democrat and Cleveland Heights city council member who is running as a Republican. You can see for yourself how many times it says "Republican" on his sign.


Suzanne Bretz Blum, running for Common Pleas Judge, posed with members of Team Blum while they were getting everything ready.

Unfortunately, it was very hot and during the parade Sammy began to suffer too much to continue. So, I had to leave the parade about half way through and take the poor pup home, where he recovered quickly and is doing fine.