Not unlike Ferris Bueller, I found myself in the middle of a parade on Saturday morning. But I did not jump onto a float and sing, and Mia Sara was nowhere in sight. This was the Memorial Day Parade in Chicago. In truth, I was in the midst of parade preparations — groups were getting ready. But it felt parade-like enough, especially when the drummers started to drum.

Here are some photos, with a speck of commentary to follow:

I do love these United States — always have, since early childhood. I hope our country is never brought down, by foes domestic or foreign. May we outshine, and outlive, haters of the American experiment, no matter which “side” they come from.

When I expressed this sentiment on Twitter, Leroy Ferrell, a rescuer of dogs, had a wonderful photographic response: