Went to the Toms River Halloween parade with the D.'s and R.'s last night. Lots of it was fun--I especially liked the families with little children dressed up and riding in homemade "cars" and carriages. There were plenty of zombies, fairy princesses, and rock stars, along with the occasional fairy-tale character. Interspersed were antique cars, high school marching bands, and a remarkable number of flat-bed trucks, elaborately decorated and staged with typical Halloween themes. The weather cooperated, with only a few sprinkles of rain, and it was comfortably warm.
Some of it was disturbing, though. My friend, Leslie R., a Mennonite and staunch pacifist, and I were dismayed at the strong militaristic flavor of the event. The parade opened with several camouflaged army trucks--some very large and menacing--followed by "honor guards" displaying the American flag. There were lots more interspersed in the parade, along with "patriotic" floats and groups, including one particularly unsettling one: An open truck, the kind that transports soldiers, that carried what looked like an equal number of adults and children, maybe thirty in all. They were all dressed in camouflage outfits and some carried guns (I hope they were fake). I don't remember the legend on the side of the truck, but it certainly emphasized the "heritage" of "supporting the troops."
Another float, repugnant to Leslie, who actually adheres to the teachings of the Prince of Peace, featured a huge cross superimposed on the stars and stripes. A sign on it read "One Nation Under God." It was frightening to see so many onlookers clapping and cheering feverishly every time floats like that one or the flag appeared. Many jumped to their feet or pumped their fists in the air and, of course, encouraged their children to do the same.
I wonder if they know exactly what they're cheering. Do they understand what their "support" actually means? Do they know how essential they are to the continued, and ever expanding, menace of American aggression? Do they realize that the bottom line is the two-year-old in Afghanistan whose legs are torn off by a drone bomber? How do they square this with their kindliness to their own children? How do they process it when they worship at their church or synagogue?
Oh, I forgot. The flag is proudly displayed there, too.