LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, May 30, 2011

Life in a Small Town

Life in a small town is never better than on patriotic holidays.  Brevard is a small town with a population of fewer than seven thousand people.  So when we celebrate a holiday we simply close off the streets and people walk toward the courthouse which sits in the middle of town.  There is friendly conversation among strangers as we gather.



Transylvania County Courthouse





Presentation of the colors




Special seating for our WWII veterans.


We all joined together to sing our National Anthem.  We were led by a lovely soprano who did not feel the need to personalize it to suit her style and make the song "her own." We sang it as it was meant to be sung.  (Well, perhaps we weren't meant to strain so hard on those high notes at the end.)  Salutes from those in the military, hands across our hearts from the rest of us.  Every single person paying rapt attention, perhaps standing a little taller than usual.  What a wonderful feeling.

We had the usual number of speeches, some inspirational, some far too long, but all delivered with pride and enthusiasm.  There is something so intimate about celebrations in a small town like ours.  The crowd included several men and women in military uniform and I often saw complete strangers walk up to shake their hands and thank them for serving our country.  Little children carried small American flags and nearly everyone was wearing a poppy.  Life is so good in a small town.

  I hope you and your loved ones are safe this Memorial Day.

In the words of Thomas Moore:
Peace to each soul that sleepeth;
Rest to each faithful eye that weepeth.

11 comments:

Carolina Linthead said...

Indeed! Thanks for sharing this. Hopefully we all pause today to honor the memories of those who answered our country's call and gave "the last full measure of devotion."

Karin said...

Having only had the pleasure of living in a small town for a few years, Wyben, MA, I was wonderfully reminded of the friendship and fun those celebrations were! So glad yours was again enjoyable and meaningful. Lovely photos!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Gorgeous post. Thanks so much. I always loved the small town celebrations. I grew up in a town of about 5000 people.

We don't ever need to stop thanking those service men and women who did (and are doing) so much for OUR FREEDOM. God Bless them ALL.

Happy Memorial Day.
Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

Crossville is about half the size of Brevard, but the two towns celebrate in the same way. That is one reason I enjoy living near a small town so much.
Thanks for a wonderful Memorial Day post.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh, your holiday sounds just perfect!!!!! Thanks for sharing.
xo

D.K. Wall said...

Amen to the small town living, though we obviously share ours with lots of visitors on any given day. We were especially moved with the row of crosses with the names of every single military person from our area who had given their life - regardless of the war. A very touching tribute.

Vicki Lane said...

Idyllic!

Jayne said...

I like living in a small town for those reasons too Carolyn. Sounds like it was a wonderful celebration.

Rudee said...

It does sound like the perfect way to spend the holiday. We had a parade in town, but at the corner of the parade route, they were filming a Hollywood movie. Weird.

Taradharma said...

It is essential for us personally as a collective body to join together and remember the fallen.

I, too, wish I could have been there.

Dawn Fine said...

Looks like such a nice way to celebrate and Honor those that served our country.
Thanks for sharing