Life with Finn & Donncha

First Parade!

Practicing before stepping off for Finn’s first parade with the Middlesex 4H Fife and Drum Corps.

Memorial Day Parade in Brookfield, MA

Finn is part of the color guard.

Finn is working his way towards being a snare drum player.

Seriously, a dream come true!

Patriot’s Day 2012

Finn’s Second Annual March from Acton Center to the Old North Bridge

The Acton Minutemen on the Common – rallying the troops as it were!

The hardy few from Boxborough!

Donncha spent a lot of the day in this position!

And we’re off!

Minuteman from Stow – note his weapon of choice – a pitchfork!

Crossing the stream – raise your musket so it doesn’t get wet!

Huzzah!

Watching the Concord Parade

’tis the season!

Today we attended the Bedford Pole Capping Parade. To say Finn was amongst his people would be an understatement!

The hats are (were?) amazing!

From the Bedford Minuteman Website:

The Liberty Pole started with a tree not a pole in 1765, by a group of American Colonials in Boston. The Sons of Liberty as they became known to be called, would meet at the base of a large elm tree at the juncture of Washington and Essex streets in Boston. From the trunk of the tree was fastened a pole which rose far above the topmost branch, and a red flag floated from it as an understood signal to call together the fearless members of the organization. This tree was referred to as the “Liberty Tree” and the ground below, “Liberty Hall.” The intentions of the group remained to carry on the voice of the Sons of Liberty to rise and fight against the country’s oppressors. The Sons of Liberty were forced to meet in secret with the Liberty Tree retaining its status until the winter of 1775-76, when it fell before the hatchets of an angered British soldiery. Liberty poles also were erected in New York and fell to the same fate of being cut down by British troops.