Posted By Smudew on July 31, 2009

Later that same year, we were invited to the 487th Bomb Group’s Reunion in Charleston. Again, we had a great time. One day we all went on a Riverboat ride, another day we went to The Citadel. At the citadel, it was amazing! They were doing their dress parade and were also honoring the 487th Bomb Group and another group that was from the Vietnam era. There was this boy right next to where we had set up our cameras. He was about 5 or 6 years old and dressed up in full uniform, complete with a toy sword. I was filming the dress parade and here goes this little boy, beating on his toy drum … and of course I am thinking, “Oh Great! – this is gonna be on the video! – I’m gonna have to move away from this!”

Little Drummer Boy

But it wasn’t long until we were all mesmerized by this little fella. He knew the whole parade routine by heart. He knew every drum beat and he kept right up with the cadets all the way! His grandparents said he had been coming every Friday, when they do the Dress Parades, since he was two and he just loved them and wanted to be one of them. He was an amazing little boy!

We were also going to be doing Portraits this time, so we wanted to see the Banquet area and see what the set-up was, etc… but another funny thing happened. American Idol was doing Try-outs there and they had half the hotel blocked off. NO ONE was getting thru to that area!! So we just had to wait until the actual afternoon of the banquet before we could see where and how to set up for the Portraits. That evening of the Banquet, it turned out that The Air Force Ball was right next door to us. When they found out that the Vets of the 487th Bomb Group from WWII were right next door, they came over and officially honored them! It was Great! and it made me cry – in fact, I am crying now as I write this. Just makes you proud to be an American!

Click to Watch!

Categories: The Mighty 8th
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