By Jim FlemingAs we approach another Memorial Day and honor those who served and died for our country, I can't help but recall memories when I was a youngster living in Hills. Memorial Day was a part of those memories.Memorial Day in my young time was always on May 30. It didn't matter what day of the week that was, that was Memorial Day. The last Monday of May was made effective many years later. Somehow the former date was more important and hopefully some of the following comments will explain why so far as I am concerned. Memorial Day was sort of the end and beginning each spring. The end of the school year and graduation. That frequently occurred just before or after Memorial Day. It marked the beginning of a summer "vacation" for students who would not have to come back to school until the day after Labor Day. Three full months, WOW!Depending on the weather, spring planting was done and frequently the corn had been cultivated at least once. Knee-high by the 4th of July, well, Madam Weather would determine that!Of course the ice had been long gone from the Rez. There were those young men who prided themselves on being the first swimmer in the Rez. The earliest I recall came about as a result of a very warm March and Ward Swenson swam in the Rez in late March. Usually that occurred in April and Ward usually was the first in the Rez. There were others but that was my memory. Of course by mid-to-late July the Rez was covered with a green algae and no one swam. The dressing room consisted of a willow clump on the southwest corner of the Rez. Even a few daring young women used the clump as well.Those were my memories but it wasn't intended to detract from the importance of Memorial Day. To honor those who went before us and served our country, was and is what that day is about. I hope we never forget that. We have been recently reminded that our men and women were and are in harm’s way. Let's make certain that we do not forget those who perform so magnificently for this country and will continue to do so when called upon.I wish to thank you all again for the great reception I received last Memorial Day. I am keenly aware that it was out of respect to my parents, Dana and Irene Fleming!
