My Sunday column

I've had much better weeks but was fortunate on Saturday morning to have a massive dose of perspective smack me right in the snoot.
My daughter's pre-school teacher encouraged Rowan to come to the annual Veterans Day parade in downtown Dalton. We staked out a good spot near the county courthouse and I was pleased to see a pretty good turnout -- though still far smaller than the event deserves.
The parade was outstanding in a Mayberrian way. The Northwest, Southeast and Dalton High bands performed (thanks guys!) and added a lot to to the show. There were pretty girls and clowns and church floats and lots of smiling kids. The Shriners, God bless 'em, were out in full force with their motorcycles, trick riding vehicles and classy classics. (Eldorado convertibles!). The Shriners made such a big impact, it was easy to forget for a moment that they are the foot soldiers in a vast international Freemason conspiracy to conquer the world.
Also on hand, probably assigned by the Vatican to keep an eye on the Freemasons, were the Knights of Columbus, who made up for their lack of numbers with sartorial splendor, including at least one stylish purple plumed hat.
And then there were the vets, both a small group of active soldiers back home after being wounded overseas. They were the stars of this show, greeted warmly at every appearance. Looking at them, knowing something about what they have sacrificed and have been through hit home.
My daughter waved her little U.S. flag and almost every veteran who saw her smiled and waved back at her. Daddy loved it even more than she did.
Our veteran veterans, soldiers who have toiled in other wars, made their appearances and once again the crowd tried to let them know how much they were appreciated.
Of course there isn't enough we can do to repay any of these warriors. But for a few sunshine-bathed minutes on perfect Saturday afternoon some good and decent people in Dalton tried to pay a little of its overdue debt.