(no subject)

We found a military living history event camped out on the lawn of the county hall. Reenactors from Jamestown era through Vietnam. Each regiment participated in an artillery demonstration, aiming and firing at a particular tree that must have wondered what it did to deserve such attention. They stopped traffic on the road adjacent to the demonstration of the civil war cannon, but they failed to detour a jogger who ran into the line of fire. She was rather startled by the blast.

Smoke, fire, spent shell casings flying at my feet. I feel weird about military technology demonstrations. On one hand, knowing the purpose for the weapons, I find the technology absolutely deplorable. But on the other hand, my primal instincts thorougly enjoyed the explosions and the potential for destruction.

Another highlight that I consider to be one of the most important things I took away from the event: the veteran tabling for the American Legion told us that in retrospect joining the military was the stupidest thing he ever did. With that in mind, I suppose I can appreciate our military firepower for keeping our soldiers alive long enough for them to realize their mistake.