Indy @ MindSay

 

By Samantha L. Quigley

American Forces Press Service

 

May 26, 2007 – Patriotism was on display during today's 50th annual Indy 500 Festival Parade in downtown Indianapolis. People showed support for their country and their troops when patriotic displays and military parade participants marched past.  Cheerleaders from Indiana University carried a banner heralding the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which proclaimed that "We Support You - Our Military Men and Women." Parade announcers told the crowd about the program, which connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. The announcers invited people in the crowd to support the troops.

 

The type of appreciation shown by the parade-goers lifts the spirits of servicemembers, and the crowd's reaction is a real morale boost, said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Dorian Sweatt.

 

"You have a smile on your face and ... you're just happy that you're taking care of them and keeping them safe," Sweatt, an aircraft mechanic stationed at NAS Indianapolis, said. "It kind of makes you feel good, kind of makes you feel like a celebrity a little bit."

 

Members of a joint color guard were certainly treated as celebrities as they marched the Stars and Stripes along the parade route. People cheered for them and showed their support.

 

"It brought tears to my eyes. I took my hat off and saluted them," said Ted Bruington, a retired schoolteacher from Cameron, Ill. "I think it's just great that everyone stood and honored the flag, and honored our men and women that gave us all these freedoms that we enjoy today."

 

More Americans need to understand the importance of the sacrifices troops are making, Bruington said. "This younger crowd has got to realize that we're fighting for a cause and that's their freedom and their future," he said.

 

Feelings of patriotism were even more evident as the American Legion float, "Heroes to Hometowns," rolled past.

 

"Those guys are fighting for our country and it's just a sense of pride," Julie Krizan of Brownsburg, Ind., said. "We know how brave they are."

 

She said she has a true appreciation for all servicemembers, and she learned that early on from her father after her uncle was killed fighting in Guam.

 

"I just grew up knowing that my father's brother had been killed fighting for the country," she said. "My dad just always taught me that you respect them and that you are proud of them no matter where they're at or where they're fighting because they're representing our country."

 

The lesson Krizan learned as a child is still being taught to young Hoosiers. Curtis Carey, 13, said he'd like to thank the nation's military men and women for serving the country. "We appreciate everything they're doing," he said.

 

His buddy, Sean Hahnen, 13, said he, too, was grateful for the troops.

 

"I'm glad that they're here for us," Hahnen said. "They do so much for us and without them our country would be nothing. In them you can find the real American."

 

The two are Boy Scouts with Troop 359 from Noblesville, Ind., and had helped set up for the parade.

 

The parade also featured the Indiana Army National Guard's 38th Division band. A group of servicemembers from each service also carried giant red, white and blue flags in the parade.

 

The procession passed through Monument Circle in the center of Indianapolis, which features a large obelisk. The spire honors Revolutionary War veterans. It's just one of many monuments dotting the city that honors war veterans.

 

The military tribute will continue tomorrow during pre-race festivities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Event planners are hoping that, as it did today, that the sun shines on Indianapolis.

 

Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books.

Today is the Indy 500 and the Coke 600. So needless to say, if your into racing at all, you'll be glued to the TV most of the day.

 

Other then that, there's really nothing to mention. So far its pretty much been a repeat of yesterday. So go read yesterday's blog and feel free to actually reply.

 

~ Race time

After desideing that I wasnt in the mood to go out last night. I feel asleep in front of my TV. Wonder what I missed? Other then driving to a couple places that I don't know.

 

I watched the INDY 500 upon getting up this morning. Now I am watching th COKE 600. It's a great day for racing TV.

 

Also its probally been the hottest day of the year so far. I mean, I am sweating my ass of just sitting in here. Its 83 in here right now.

 

Um, not much on my mind, that hasnt been on my mind for the past few day. Do I want a new furry friend. Not sure yet. Other then that, and sweating my ass off. I am doing fine at the moment.

 

Well, drop me an IM if I am online. My PC may need a break from running in this heat soon.

 

~ too warm

Got up at noon. Then went to wash my hair, and shave. I am all clean now. I am wide awake too. With is somewhat surprising. I am so happy, I had such a great time.

 

What's up for today ? Ummm. currently watching Indy 500 qulifing. Witch is rather boring, but I don't know what else to watch on TV.

 

What do I have planed ? At this point in the day, nothing at all. My dinner is gonna be meat loaf. Witch I can smell cooking in the oven. Other then that, maybe some PS2 is in my future. I currently have no other plan's to do anything.

 

What's on my mind ? Umm.... last night. The people I met, the stuff we all did. I had such a blast. I can't wait to do it again.

 

If anyone want's to chat. Hit me up. I don't fear the IM's. lmao

 

~ chillen

Well here in Indy we're hitting race season. And I being from the westside know how much people start flowing into my town. Not that it's a bad thing. Brings a lot of money to the city which helps boost our economy. However, the part that does cause a headache is the traffic. So here in another couple of weeks I will be avoiding the streets. This Saturday is Pole day and with the nasty weather we've been having the past couple of days I hope they have time to get that in. Maybe that would mean we'll have a nice day for the race on the 28th. Race day always seems to have some kind of rain to go with it. Ahh, oh well there's still the F1 and Brickyard races to come. And if you ask me Brickyard is better anyway. It would seem anymore the Brickyard brings a bigger crowd to Indy than any other race.

 

Anyway, moving on. I started reading other blogs on illegal immigrants and I started reading headlines on the rallies that had occured. And not that my opinion really matters but I thought I'd share anyway. Especailly after reading one mindsay users blog about how she was proud to be Mexican. However, she would not want to live in Mexico. I mean would that be anything like me being proud that I have German blood in me but don't want to live in germany? Yet I if I had a German flag hanging in my apartment and spoke German wouldn't that make me not proud to be an american? To me no because I would be supporting Germany. I also have Indian blood in me. I'm not sure tribe but hey the Indians were the first to live on this land we call the USA. I guess to me if you want to come to America come here to be leagal and become a proud american. Speak the national language out of respect. I would have no problem with any immigrant that was willing to do that. But what about all the illegals who are here just to make a buck and then send it back home? What about my fucking tax dollars going to support these people? When they most of them probably don't pay a dime in taxes themselves. Yet they can use my tax dollars for insuances, compensations, and food. HEY but I have to bust my ass going to work 5 days a week and sometimes more in order for me to pay FOR MYSELF and YOU? I put money out on insurance, apartment, car, and food. But no one ever gives me a hand in it.  This minday user I was speaking of also said mexicans are willing to clean toliets to support their families because we won't do it. She was referring to how her friend had told her mexicans were taking all our jobs. Well I have one things to say to that. Like I replied to her post. My mother cleans toliets for a living to support my brother and sister because she is a single mom. She does it every day. So that comment just pissed me off. And then it's on to the other major areas immigrants work in america. Agriculture, construction, and food preperation. Well, I'm sure if they didn't have those jobs there would be plenty of people to fill those jobs. What about all the 14 and 15 year olds who need jobs and are still in high school. The kids who don't have a mommy and daddy that can afford to buy them a car. So they want to get out and work to save money to buy a car. Then they hit 16 and they need money for gas and entertainment. Being with friends a big part of a adolesents life. My step brother works in construction. He's the forman for a fence company. They do a lot of guardrail work on highways. There would be plenty of people to fill jobs.

 

Oh well, I'm proud to be an american. I'm thankful I can be 22 and living on my own because anymore it is hard to find a good job. Do you know why?