Scouts March for Israel
I had the pleasure of marching in uniform with Troop 55 of Highland Park/Edison, New Jersey in the Salute to Israel Day Parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America are some of the first marchers in the parade. We are right behind the Veterans of America. First, we had to get there:
At left, we leave from Edison, New Jersey. At right, we are in Penn Station, New York.
A lot of waiting for the parade to start:
Finally, we march:
There were a lot more schools and floats from many organizations that we missed, because we wanted to get home. In particular, it would have been nice to see RPRY(my children’s school) and TABC(the high school my son will attend next year). But they weren’t marching until much later.
This one is a reflection in the window of a New York apartment building:
So here are some of the tired scouts, sitting down this time in Penn Station:
We got to ride on these cool double-decker trains on our train ride back to New Jersey.
See also Elinka’s parade pictures.
Baila says
Totally miss that!
What a great party for Israel.
Maybe next year it can be down King George Street in J-m!
Ilana-Davita says
Great photos; thanks for sharing so quickly.
Leora says
Baila, the parade is SO New York. I haven't been to New York in a while, and I was struck by all the advertising. We rode in a subway car that was Hugo Boss (cologne for men) all over, even on the ceiling. It is hard to remember that it is supposed to be about Israel, and not about cheering on the next school that marches!
Ilana-Davita, I would guess you've never been to New York. The place is intense.
Batya says
I want to cry such beautiful pictures.
I marched in the first few parades up to and including 1970, and then we were back for 1977. There were years I marched twice, first with NCSY and then ran back to march with Betar.
Leora says
Batya, I just want you to know the support was enormous, the protesters tiny. Feel good about that, too.
Gail says
Wonderful pictures, Leora! They really made me miss NY. Wouldn't I love to be walking down 5th avenue on a gorgeous day like that! And of course the scouts and all the children were wonderful. Thanks for sharing them.
Mason says
I was there yesterday, and the combination of great weather & that it was the 60th anniversary brought out a huge crowd. I shot film (20 rolls!) and will hopefully have some shots up in a few weeks. (Decent local processing is impossible to find these days, so I'm sending the film to someone who knows how to do it right.)
RPRY didn't step off until 4:15. I saw them about 4:00 waiting their turn, 2 hrs ate. Some of the kids were taking a nap on West 44th St.!
Leora says
Gail, glad you liked the photos.
Mason, looking forward to seeing your 20 rolls! Or whatever percentage you put online. You must really prefer the film cameras.
I heard RPRY got held up (they were toward the end of the parade) by protesters. Sigh.
Ilana-Davita says
What sort of protesters were they? Pro-Arabs, Neo-Nazis, people like Neturei Karta?
Leora says
If you really want to see the protesters, take a look at Atlas Shrugs (Pamela Geller's) post:
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/06/atlas-vlogs-the.html
Some Neturei Karta, many pro-Arab, stop the occupation types.
Ilana-Davita says
Spine-chilling. The caricatures are just so reminiscent of frightening times.
Batya says
Did you see the picture I put up from 1968?
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2008/06/marching-memories.html
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