By STONEY HARDCASTLE
Memorial Day brought back many memories. Several years back this holiday was known as Decoration Day. It was a day when most communities gathered at commentaries for a day of socializing and in memory of deceased service personnel, relatives and friends. There was singing, preaching and a pot luck lunch (dinner on the ground). All graves were decorated with homemade flowers made from colorful crepe paper twisted around a piece of wire. No grave was left without flowers.
It is a sad fact that this Memorial Day, while we were honoring our brave men and women who died in defense of our country, our troops were dying in that seemingly endless, senseless war in Iraq.
This is very disturbing. CNN News has reported that the Pentagon has put slot machines in overseas military bases. The report goes on to say this has caused many border soldiers to become gambling addicts — which is causing family problems and in one case a suicide. The Pentagon defends the slots by saying they need the money to buy recreational equipment. This brings up the questions. Aren’t our tax dollars buying recreational equipment? And who is supplying the slot machines, the mafia?
Now some good news: Our state legislature has adjoined. This means no more screwball laws, such as the Daily Flossing Bill. While the legislators are bragging about cutting taxes, they should be asked why they didn’t cut the gasoline tax? This would help everyone, not just the rich.
A recently completed audit states that the Ardmore Police Department has lost its way. But the audit fails to say what is the right way.
Some readers have asked if we could call attention to all the trash. Well, trash is trash and all our county roads are littered with everything from Styrofoam cups to discarded washing machines. There is a law against littering, but law officers say it is difficult to enforce because there seldom is an eyewitness willing to testify. The officers ask if you see someone littering take the license number and call the law.
Attention senior citizens: the Social Security Administration has announced it has lost several thousand Oklahoma retirees computer records. If you fail to get your check call 672-6462. Note they did not give an area code.
June is marrying month, so parents and grandparents get your checkbook ready, because couples aren’t eloping these days, they want the big show. Warning to couples: don’t cross Red River to get hitched. Texas has just raised the price of marriage license from $30 to $60.
Let’s all keep praying that somehow, some way, the Iraq war will end.
Stoney Hardcastle is a retired educator and writer from Wilburton.
