Memorial Day

Aaron Rients wears a lot of different hats — farmer, seed dealer, board member and field trialist, among others.

During the first two weeks of June, the Rahn family is going in many different directions, including making hay and spraying a second pass of herbicides to control weeds in their crop fields.

Beginning with Memorial Day and ending shortly after Independence Day, we see more American flags flying than at any other time of the year.

Memorial Day is a time to both honor individual memories and reflect on American history. Designers have drawn inspiration from American history for over 100 years.

The Memorial Day weekend is a time for recognition and gratitude as we honor the veterans who have given their lives for our country. For many families, this remembrance weekend also signals the official beginning of grilling season.

It happens every year. Summer’s official start is a couple of weeks away, but Memorial Day weekend is upon us and for many of those not making hay or trying to get a crop in, it is a time for picnics and parties.

On a cold winter morning in 1945, a young Army lieutenant, Garlin Conner, sprinted ahead of American lines near the French and German border with a telephone, radio and wire reel, ignoring warnings of danger from his fellow soldiers.

This year Memorial Day falls on its traditional day, May 30, the day set aside — originally as “Decoration Day” — to honor the nation’s military dead after the Civil War.

Spring in the vegetable or flower garden is a carefully orchestrated series of events. The goal is to keep things moving forward with the warming season, taking into account weather predictions.