There's really nothing worse than working Memorial Day weekend. Well, yes, of course there is. But let's pretend there's nothing worse.

So you're stuck working. Your work will consist of editing stories about  -- you guessed it -- Memorial Day parades! What fun! I know. I’m grateful to our dead veterans. And the living ones too. I know. I know I know I know. I sound like a terrible person.

 But I hate all parades equally, OK? Does that help? I could be editing, oh, candy and shoes on parade and I’d be thinking, "Oh man, not AGAIN?? Every freaking YEAR?! Another shoe parade?!"

  So, be it lovely shoes and rich chocolate, or marching bands and Vets in jeeps, I hate all parades.

 Except this year. This year, Morris Plains, N.J. had the best Memorial Day parade ever! Truly! OK. I'm once again about to sound like a truly terrible person. But as far as parades go? This was fun. And nobody got hurt. Not really …

 First, a planned flyover with a Coast Guard helicopter went out of control and hovered too close to trees, knocking branches down, the whirling blades causing hurricane-like winds, whipping strollers and lawn chairs through the air.

 A few people got banged up, but no one had to go to the hospital and the parade carried on as planned.

 Later, having nothing at all to do with the chopper, a cart pulled by a pair of Clydesdales toppled over after the horses got spooked. No one knows why. The driver actually was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while the horses ran amuck, wedging themselves between parked cars. The horses are fine, the cars, not so much. But the cars were parked, and empty; no one got hurt.

As a reporter, parades just don’t get better than this. As a veteran editor, it’s a dream come true! Just for added fun, antique cars stalled -- one containing an assemblyman -- further adding delay to an already-botched event.

 In the end, however, the most important part -- the opening ceremonies at the monuments of our veterans -- was preserved and documented. The day ended at the VFW and although the parade was full of mayhem, it’s one no one will ever forget.

 Except for last year’s when a bear wandered toward the crowd … but it was smart enough to quickly retreat knowing full well that Morris County and bear hunts have an on-again, off-again relationship.

(note: Photo is by Vincent Marchese of Morris Township NJ. I tried to get a photo credit under the picture, but it didn't work. Behind the horse is the VFW Hall in Morris Plains, and in front of the hall, local vets.)