Independence Day

Happy Birthday, America, from Japan.

Today is the 4th of July and we celebrated by participating in the First Annual CFAS 4th of July Parade on Main Base (MB).  There was really no prerequisite.  The parade was announced a few weeks ago and if you wanted to participate, you just e-mailed the base commander's administrative assistant.  The suggested parade participants were either groups or kids wearing patriotic dress and having decorated bikes, wagons, etc.  Leah and Aaron loved the idea and wanted to ride their scooters.  I decorated the scooters with red, white and blue crepe paper and silver star garland.  I also added a pinwheel and a giant flag bow to each.  I have to admit, they looked pretty good.  (I didn't think to take a picture of only the scooters.)

As is typical for July in Japan (rainy season), it rained today.  It rained almost all morning.  I wasn't sure if the parade was still going to be held but it wasn't just a parade at stake.  The base had a pool party, "American" buffet, a pie-baking contest and fireworks.  I think the thought of rescheduling a large event when the weather forecast for the next ten days is 60-80% chance of rain lead the base commander, Captain Chip Rock (and I did not even make up that name--reminds me of The Flintstones or something) gave the green light to keep the plans for today.  His exact words were, "Did George Washington quit when crossing the Delaware River in a snow storm?"  So we packed our umbrellas and drove to MB. 

I parked the Blueberry near the end of the parade route and we had to walk/scoot to the beginning and of course, it was raining.  Luckily, the rain wasn't too heavy but it was windy.  The base is shaped like a "U" and we basically had to get from one end of the "U" to the other.  The Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (think towers of dorm rooms for young, unmarried sailors) are near the parade end and because you need to be at least 25 years old to get a drivers license here through the base, there is usually a random taxi cab or two around.  We got lucky and was able to catch a cab to the parade's starting point. 

The parade participants were a motley crew, to say the least.  There were a handful of other families but most were groups from different commands on base.  In front of us was a big group from Medical.  They all had matching tie-dye shirts and there was an ambulance that would periodically sound its siren.  The medical people handed out small American flags and popsicles to the tens of people that were watching the parade.  Directly in front of us was a small group from I don't know where but for being less than ten people, they were very vocal with organized cheers and songs.  Directly behind us was Security with guys in Kevlar and blue plastic automatic weapons and a Humvee.  (Initially I had to keep reminding Aaron to look in the direction he was scooting and not behind him at the Humvee.) 


Waiting for the parade to start.

Leah loved her light-up tiara.

The Subway Subman gave the kids a Frisbee and
a yo-yo and posed for pictures before the
parade started.

Luckily, the rain stopped before the parade began and it didn't rain for the entire parade or the Captain's speech/awards presentation afterwards.  We saw Leah's teacher, Mrs. Jarrard, and a few other families we knew along the parade route.  It wasn't that hard--there weren't that many although the biggest concentration were at the bottom of the "U" (where the Exchange and the food court are located) and near the end of the parade.  The kids had fun but about two-thirds of the way they were getting very tired.  I practically had to pull Aaron by the handlebars.  The parade ended in front of the Headquarters building and that's where the fun ended for us.  Leah was tired and wanted to go home and of course we were all damp from basically being in what would compare to being in a closed bathroom while the shower is running, which is what being in Sasebo in July feels like.  I'm assuming that Aaron was tired too, maybe even hungry.  At least I hope so as he had which can only be described as an epic meltdown which unfortunately began during the singing of the National Anthem.  I won't go through the details but in addition to the on-location naughty-spot time-out, Aaron spent the rest of the afternoon in his room and was sent to bed immediately after dinner.  Luckily Leah was tired and had asked to go home prior to the meltdown.  I was afraid she would be upset at having to miss the rest of the festivities but she had had enough, which was fine with me as by this time I had a headache starting. 

So no fireworks or party--not the most exciting July 4th on record, but compared to last year when we spent the holiday, during our first week in Japan, in the ER after Leah fell and hit her mouth on the coffee table, it was exciting enough.  Sometimes not exciting is better.  I thought we could watch A Capitol Fourth and see fireworks (a Rich family tradition) while we eat breakfast tomorrow, but it is being shown tape-delayed tomorrow night.  I hope everyone has a happy, dry and safe Independence Day and that your celebration is exciting enough (but not too exciting).