Loyalty Day is officially observed on May 1 all across the country. It is a day set aside for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.
Locally, we celebrate this occasion on the first Sunday of May, no matter what the date. This year the calendar happens to line up just right.
The whole weekend is full of festivities, including a pancake breakfast at the rodeo grounds, the “Blessing of the Fleet” in Ilwaco, a kiddie’s parade on Saturday, and for the 61st consecutive year, a full-blown parade through beautiful downtown Long Beach beginning at 1 p.m. today.
Now, my blood runs a vivid red, white, and blue, and I’m hopelessly patriotic to my toes. I stand when the flag passes, and I take my hat off when the anthem is sung at ball games. But today I’ll be hiding out at home while the parade is passing by. I’m thinking that at my age, if you’ve seen one hometown parade, you’ve seen them all. Or it could be that I just don’t like the influx of traffic to our quiet little town.
Nevertheless, I’m happy to live in this country, and I’m thankful for those past and present who have served in our military. I love our President, wish people would get off his back so he can do his job, and you better believe I’m voting for him again.
So today, I’ll be celebrating Loyalty Day in my home sweet home, popping up some popcorn, watching the Mariners on television, and spending quality time with my cat. And in the good old US of A, I have the freedom to do just that!