(Clearwisdom.net) May 30 was Memorial Day in America. The sunshine was brilliant that morning. On Independence Street in Washington, DC, Falun Gong practitioners and dozens of other groups from other places in the country participated in the Memorial Day Parade to honor veterans of World War II. In the Falun Gong practitioners' contingent, beautiful dancing by practitioners dressed as "celestial maidens," practitioners in traditional costumes doing the elegant exercise demonstration on the float, and the unique waist drummers troupe won the spectators' warm acclamation and admiration, and made a brilliant sight in the parade.

A "celestial maiden"

These Falun Gong practitioners were university professors, doctors, computer experts, homemakers, students and retired people. Their optimistic and peaceful spirits, brilliant costumes, graceful dancing and exercise demonstration displayed the spirit of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and traditional Chinese culture to the Western community. Since the April 1999 National Cherry Blossom Festival, Falun Gong practitioners have been actively participating in various celebration activities and festival parades in the community and have become a shining star in these events.

Exercise demonstration on the float

Waist drummers' group

Recalling their first participation in the National Cherry Blossom Festival in April 1999, coordinator Mr. Wang of the Falun Gong contingent said, "I came across a person from the local Chinese Community at a Chinese restaurant in Washington, DC. While having a conversation, I expressed my wish to participate in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, but I didn't know how to apply. He said he had applied already, and was looking for people to join him. So if we wanted to participate, we wouldn't need to apply, we could just join his group. This activity was actually organized by the Chinese Embassy. The day of the parade, the embassy sent big buses to fetch Falun Gong practitioners from Maryland to Washington, DC. After the parade, they intended to give each practitioner five yuan as an encouragement. Because Falun Gong practitioners participate in all activities voluntarily, we would not accept the money. The practitioners asked the embassy officers to help us donate the money to a local Chinese Association. This became a big story among Embassy officers and the local Chinese Community after they learned about this fact, and even now, there are still people taking delight in talking about this. What is regrettable is that since July 1999 when Jiang Zemin's regime started the persecution of Falun Gong, these people dare not contact Falun Gong practitioners for the sake of their own profit and official careers. From then on, we began applying to the parade organizing committees ourselves, and gradually our group became popular in various festival parades throughout the area."

Float

"Celestial maidens"

Spectators applaud the practitioners' contingent