Celebrating America

Each year, the Rotary Clubs of Paris, puts on an amazing fourth of July event, and each year, Dave gets to broadcast the event. We arrived at Noyse Stadium, on the Paris Junior Colledge Campus, around 5:30. I helped Dave get set up for his interviews, then I was free to walk around. It was unbelieveably hot, but we had plenty of water, and the shade of the radio station's tent. As time to begin the celebration drew near, lawn chair carrying people began to file in, and by 7 we had quite a crowd. At 7:45, the Paris Municipal Band began to play. By this time, Dave had finished broadcasting. We set up our lawn chairs to enjoy the concert, and the rest of the evening. As the band played, the planes carrying the Blue Skies Parachute Team flew over, climbing to a height of 6000 feet. During the last patriotic song, the parachuters jumped. It was amazing to watch them circling gracefully to land on field. I wish I could do it justice with my discription. As darkness fell, we sang our national anthem as our flag was raised. We enjoyed an amazing fireworks display, then watched our flag lowered to the tune of taps. An amazing night. I truely love my country.