Memorial Day weekend in Manhattan overlaps with Fleet Week, made famous (or is that infamous) by that great "Sex and the City" TV episode. Literally thousands of U.S. sailors, marines, and Coast Guardsmen (and women!) make port in Manhattan for a week-long celebration that includes public visitation of the ships.
I can't say I've celebrated Fleet Week Carrie Bradshaw style--ever notice how *she* never seems to have revisions, certainly none that interfere with her social life? Still, when I have gotten out to soak up the spring sunshine, it's been fun seeing tribes of crisply outfitted Navy men and women roaming the city in packs, savoring their shore leave in America's most exciting city.
On occasion it's also been heartwarming. Take yesterday, for example. I was headed east through Greenwich Village when I fell in behind a foursome of white-suited sailors. A bright-eyed elderly woman stepped in front of me, not as it turned out to knock me to the curb.
She reached into her purse, pulled out her wallet, and shoved a twenty dollar bill in one young sailor's hand. "This is for your service, to show my appreciation for all you do to keep this country safe. I want you all to have a beer on me. It's the least I can do."
Random acts of kindness and senseless beauty isn't just a catchy slogan that looks good on car bumpers. Some people out there, quite a few, actually, are living the dream.
Happy Memorial Day,
Hope
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