One of the most exciting things about coming to America is watching a real American parade, full of American flags, people cheering and all kinds of carriages passing by. The first parade that may come to your head based on that description would probably be one that honors the 4th of July, but in my case, my exchange year will be over by that date.  Still, I got to experience this kind of event at the recent Memorial Day parade.

On May 26th, the Galway High School band, fire trucks from all over the region and all kinds of clubs in Galway marched in the Memorial day parade.  The parade started at 10 o’clock in the Fire House, passed Galway Market and continued all the way down to the High School, where a huge American flag was held in the air by a ladder truck, waiting to welcome them. Many houses on the street also hung their flags outside the house, and several people were dressed in patriotic colors.

The marching parade was led by the Galway veterans and two soldiers, continued by the clubs Galway Lioness Club, the Girl Scouts, the Frontier Girls, the Galway Leo Club, the Cub Scouts (accompanied by some Navy Members) and the Boy Scouts. The band was behind them, followed by a car full of Veterans, which had to be pushed by some viewers after it broke down. There were Galway and Providence  fire trucks.  Floats/carriages from local companies such as the Galway Public Library, Bob’s Trees and the Scotch Church Service Emporium Coffee Club drove down down the busy street. At the end of the parade, in front of the High School, the volunteer firefighters had a little ceremony to thank and remember the people that risked their lives for their country, with some veterans present there.

During the parade, the band played the songs they had practiced in the previous two weeks; they also practiced marching in the track field. They played the songs “Louie Louie,” “America the Beautiful,” “Star Spangled Banner,” “Mickey Mouse March,” “Evil Ways” and “The Patriots.” The band, with students from 9th to 12th grade, was led in the parade by sophomore Britt Keller, holding the American flag.

Watching a parade is something essential for the full American experience in the eyes of a foreigner. It’s really entertaining but it also makes you understand better the culture and traditions, and it’s definitely not what I am used to seeing in Spain.