Kyles, Parade , Mass and Results

Lads,

The weekend's activities started off with a bang for sure. Saturday night the Captain and Lt. came down from St. Joe with our battle flag and went to Kyles Tap Room on N. Oak. Kyles gave the MIB the first $500.00 towards the purchase of the services of the professional flag maker to recreate the 7th Missouri's Battle Flag. It was great to see so many of the MIB there. Pvt's Price, Lep, Bullitt, Allister, Kace, Cpl. Keith, Cpt. Crufutt, Pvt. S. Merriman and Lt. Gammil. I'm sure I left someone out. The flag was shone to the partrons. Landis Battery CSV bought the MIB a round of whiskey. Huzzah to Landis Battery CSV. I was home by 10:00 p.m. .

I didn't sleep well Friday nite at all. Too nervous! I got up at 4:45 a.m., which is my normal time, loaded the truck and arrived at 14th and Erie at about 6:15 a.m.. I parked and walked over to the VFW and shot the breeze with my old Shriner buddies and the Parade Chairperson before having the $4.00 all you could eat breakfast. Several of the MIB took advantage of this great deal as well.

After breakfast, I walked back to where I parked the truck, and collected my equipment and the fine new banner. With arms full I walked up to 14th and Gentry only to find out that I could have parked in the companies lot. I walked back to 14th and Erie and told the boys. Walked back to 14th and Gentry and waited. Everyone was at the line-up by 9:00 a.m. That was was a relief. The men of the MIB are very puncutual. The Lt. and the Captain's wives came in period dress and carried the proud new banner before us alone with their children.

We fielded about 30-32 rifles not counting the Sgt's and Officers. This was a wonderful turn out. The worse part of a parade is the standing around before it. This was a necessity due to the great number of parade participants and the huge number of spectators. The crowd was estimated at 80-100,000 by the NKC Police. I called this morning and spoke with the staff officer who headed up the security this year.

For our first time in this parade, we did an outstanding job. Huzzah to the men officers and wives. We finished 8th in our category which, quite frankly, was unheard of.

For our efforts the MIB will receive a $200.00 check. I wish we had won 1st. place. We will next year for sure, if we elect to do it again.

Complete Parade results can be found at: http://northlandfestivals.com/2006paradeawardresults.pdf

The parade was 1 mile in length. From our starting position,back to our starting position, it was 1.5 miles. I think I walked about three miles with all the running around I did before the parade's start at 11:00 a.m. .

Traffic was a mess afterwards. It took me 45-50 minutes to drive over to Alpha Lodge Masonic Hall on Iron to partake of the Hot Dog and Chili feed.

Well, I had four dogs and two bowls of chili. Pvt N. Price ate at least eight hotdogs and four bowls of chili plus drinks. I'm glad I do not have to feed that growing boy!

After eating the dogs, traffic was back to some sense of normal. I drove home to change my shirt before the Gaelic MASS at Redemptorist at 5:00 p.m.. Pvt. Price and I along with Margaret sat at the ends of one long pew so none would take it. All seats we gone by 4:30 p.m. We had a good turn out at the MASS, the MIB filled one long pew in the front of the second section on Mary's side. It was wonderful to sit with the men and worship with them.

After MASS concluded many of the men met at my winter quarters for Brandy and cigars on the porch. I ordered a xtra large pizza and a box of Italian chicken wings from Waldo Pizza. Irish Brandon and his son came over about 7:30 p.m. The men spoke of many things and told ghost stories. Everyone left for home by 9:30 p.m.

The day ended for me at 11:00 p.m. I fell right to sleep. It was a day full of excitement and fun. I hope the men enjoyed the experiences of the day as much as I did.

Now its on to Spring Muster and the 2006 Campaign season.

We were asked by the Parade Chairperson of the KC St. Patrick's Day Parade, after MASS, to come and march in the 2007 parade in KC since it will be on a Saturday next year.

YOS,

Hospital Steward Bair
7th and 30th Consolidated Companies USV