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Putting my thoughts on NDP aside, I shall here pay tribute to the men and women who made NDP happen - it is a tremendous feat involving clockwork precision, manpower and logistics, planning and resource management, perseverance and sweat, plus many, many KFC drumsticks and bento boxes (and lots of wasted plastic and styrofoam). Having gone through two days of rehearsals with the contingents, I have come to understand a little better the sacrifices they have to make to pull it through. Yesterday under the heat of the afternoon sun, no less than five members of each of the Uniformed Groups had to be carried away on stretchers from the parade square, and even one of the contingent commanders had to be replaced. (The scene of the Colour Party in the first photo below was just a drill, thank goodness!)
Saluting at the playing of the National Anthem and saying the Pledge (haven’t done that for almost 10 years!) elicit an odd sense of programmed response and calm detachment.
Oh well, but who cares. The fireworks was awesome.
(Again, more photos on FB and Flickr.)