We remember...

Rural America remembers

Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which some 620,000 soldiers on both sides died. The loss of life and its effect on communities throughout the country led to spontaneous commemorations of the dead.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/27858/10-things-remember-about-memorial-day

U.S. Veterans Adolfo Garcia, Jr., left, and Val Steffens raise the flag and then lower it to half-mast. The flag is supposed to be flown at half-mast until noon, and then raised to full mast until sunset on Memorial Day.

Emily Synatschk, Olton, Texas, places her hand over her heart at a Memorial Day ceremony sponsored by Olton 4-H.

4-H President Zane Gunter reads a poem at the Memorial Day Ceremony, while U.S. Veterans Adolfo Garcia, Jr., back left, and Val Steffens look on.

In some areas of the rural South, they hold annual Decoration Days around this time for certain cemeteries, often in the mountains.

Left, Olton High School junior, Meredy Rodriguez, plays Taps as Emily Synatschk of Springlake, Texas, looks on. 

Taps, the 24-note bugle call, is played at all military funerals and memorial services. It originated in 1862 when Union General Dan Butterfield "grew tired of the 'lights out' call sounded at the end of each day," according to The Washington Post. Together with the brigade bugler, Butterfield made some changes to the tune.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/27858/10-things-remember-about-memorial-day

Congress passed a law in 2000 that requires all Americans to stop what they are doing at 3pm on Memorial Day to remember and to honor those who have died serving the United States. President Clinton signed this action.

Memorial Day is sometimes confused with Veterans Day. However, Veterans Day honors all United States military veterans, while Memorial Day honors the soldiers who died while serving.

It's common for volunteers to place the American flag on graves in the national cemeteries. Memorial Day is also a popular day for people to visit cemeteries and honor those who have died while serving in the military.

Father and son work together to put out flags around town. Left, David Azam, Olton Lion's Club member, and his son Brady Azam.

Father teaching the son to remember. 

David Azam, right, watches as his son Brady Azam places a flag at a residence. David is one of 20 Olton Lions Club members. The Club placed 54 flags at residences and businesses this morning. 

We remember...

Calling Memorial Day a "national holiday" is a bit of a misnomer. While there are 10 federal holidays created by Congress—including Memorial Day—they apply only to Federal employees and the District of Columbia. Federal Memorial Day, established in 1888, allowed Civil War veterans, many of whom were drawing a government paycheck, to honor their fallen comrades without being docked a day's pay. 

Memorial Day...remembering our fallen heroes.

“America without her soldiers would be like God without His angels.” Claudia Pemberton

Olton Lions Club member Mark Silva hangs a flag. 

"Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." Adlai Stevenson II

Local businesses remember. 

In the early years, American flags were made out of wool, cotton, linen, or silk depending on where it was being made within the country. https://www.mmitextiles.com/blog/post/how-its-made-the-american-flag/

Main Street flying the red, white and blue. 

The World War I poem "In Flanders Fields," by John McCrea, inspired the Memorial Day custom of wearing red artificial poppies. 

http://mentalfloss.com/article/27858/10-things-remember-about-memorial-day

Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971.

Rural America remembers...

God bless America!

Emily Synatschk, Olton, Texas, right, salutes the flag, along with her grandmother Carla Synatschk at a Memorial Day ceremony held at Olton Cemetery.