If nothing else, this is what a Shriners parade should do.

With 15 minutes to spare, I headed home and picked up the extra battery in the charger, the stress melting after I returned and heard the drum beats coming from Ninth and Roanoke Avenue, headed toward the Seventh and Sixth street area where I decided to view the parade and take photos.

Perhaps I am biased when I speak of Masons and Shriners because it's in my blood although I am not a member.

(More parade photos can be seen on our Facebook)

I just couldn't help thinking how much my father, who was a Mason and Shriner, and one held in high regard in Murfreesboro and Hertford County, would have enjoyed this.

The last Shriner's parade I attended was with him, he driving a float and me riding shotgun with him. It was one of those moments you never forget as a child.

Children and childhood are what these parades are about, not only for their entertainment on a day like today, but for their health and well-being that is benefitted from the projects Shriners do.

My father took us to a tour of the Masonic Home for Children, formerly the Oxford Orphanage, and I cannot recall how many fish fries we attended at the Hertford County Shrine Club.

At nights, I would often see cars in the driveway because my father was the man who coached those coming into the brotherhood. I tried my best as a youngster to read Morals and Dogma but couldn't quite grasp the concept then.

So clearly, it is ingrained in me although for one reason or another I never joined but respect the work they do.

Watching the children's faces today at the parade made me even more appreciative of the work the Shriners do, grown men stuffing themselves into tiny cars and trucks, putting on character costumes and painting themselves silly with clown makeup to brighten someone's day and call attention to the charitable work they do.

I am certainly glad they decided to hold their Fall Ceremonial here. More so, I am appreciative they decided to hold a parade, sell their canes and brighten the faces of young and old alike.

The parade just brought back so many great memories of my childhood and my father, a man I can't tell you how much I miss, and how much I respected his work within the Masons and Shriners. I still hold his fezzes as prized possessions of his memory.

Although I was in a panic that my camera had decided on such a crucial day to fail, my logical side told me it was just the battery and there was nothing more to do but go home and get the spare.

It was perfect timing and couldn't have worked out better because I left that parade with a smile on my face and lilt in my spirits. Thank you, Shriners — Lance Martin