At 17, Part 1: The Winter Guard
Things to do on my birthday: WGI Semi-finals in Dayton! Ezra turned 17 this week. Start with the name. That's the first thing. Ezra. But that'll be for Part 2. (If there is a Part 2) First, I have Winter Guard on my mind. What is Winter Guard, anyway? Fortunately, there's a web page that succinctly answers that question: "Winter guard is the sport of indoor color guard. Modern color guard is a combination of the use of flags, sabers, mock rifles, and other equipment, as well as dance and other interpretive movement." Winter Guard lineage ultimately goes back to military color guards, which helps explain the use of flags, rifles and sabres. I could do without that portion of the symbolism, even while admiring the mastery with which high school kids -- mostly girls -- can spin, toss and throw them. Ezra first joined Winter Guard as an 8th Grader. Aaron convinced them to go to a "try it out" night. The coach at the time had just created a