dressed in purple to show as a "Flash Mob" in support to the Lakewood High School
Marching Band, and a kick off to Summer Band Camp.
I have to be honest many things went through my mind when I first read this, the largest
being, "People still do flash mobs?" But I was sitting on my porch with friend and fellow
Observer Craig Lovejoy and it was near "Flash Mob" time, so let's go and see.
The 2014 LHS Marching Band enters the stadium.
It really seemed like the kick-off of another band camp to me.
It was someone in the drum section that audibly said over the band, "Wow, look at all the
people!" Another said, "Yeah crazy," as they marched by.
I thought, "Hmmmmmm, the kids are digging it."
And off they headed for a lap or two of the First Federal Stadium.
To a standing ovation and a cheering group of supporters, and I thought, You know
there could be something to this.
As the LHS Band marched past, the crowd continue to go wild, and I started to get that
weird feeling that comes with parades, high school football games. Local pride wells up.
As they made the turn at the south end of the stadium, I could see where the firemen
from Fire Station One had shown up to show support and turned the lights on.
Making the turn, I couldn't help but think, "Fire Chief Gillman, really knows how to do this stuff."
As they headed towards me and I turned to take their pictures through the long telephoto
lens I could see nothing but smiles, and excitement in the eyes of the kids, and I have
to be honest, I started to cry. These kids were truly taking in and appreciating every
moment of this. Not one miniscule piece of love and respect was wasted on this night. The
LHS Band was on, and so were the parents.
After two laps they stopped and did two songs for the "mob."
Then Band Director Brian Griebel, formerly of Harding who has really stepped up in what
at best can be called tough times, delivered a little speech to the crowd and the students.
His words were perfectly chosen, to underline the thanks for the support of the students,
the parents, the schools and the community over the past couple weeks and as long as he
can remember, and then he said, "This is band camp, I'm not sure how much time we
have left." A voice from the band yelled, "Two Minutes!" He thanked the crowd, yelled,
"Left turn!" and off they went...
And off back to the school.
To say everyone in these pictures has had a tough couple weeks would be a major
understatement. For most of the people in these photos, life has been troublesome. But to
see a community come together, in support of our children, on a perfect summer night
made one forget everything, and just soak in the pure enjoyment, feeling of love, and
community, that makes this city and America so, so nice.
As I headed to the gate, I had the pleasure of running into the Helbigs, I love talking with
Diane, certainly a community leader in this town. I said, "I was crying like a baby." She
smiled and said, "This is what I love about Lakewood, we come together when it is important."
And as I walked back to the car to meet up with Craig, I thought, "Yeah, that is very real
Americana, we can argue about the little things, and the big things, but when it really
matters, we are there for each other, even people we have never met."
It was great to see longtime School Board member Linda Beebe, longtime LHS teacher, Dr.
Chuck Greanoff, LHS Principal Keith Ahearn, soon to be Assistant Superintendent Roxann
Ramsey-Caserio, and current Asst. Superintendent Kevin Bright to support our kids also.
DAMN, I LOVE THIS CITY, and I loved last night, and want to thank all the parents that
put the flash mob together.
.
