Half-staff, half-day

This year's Memorial Day Presidential Proclamation states, "I...request the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control."

The U.S. flag is flown at half-staff only for the first half of the day, and then it is raised to full height from noon to sundown. Why only until noon? This custom honors the war dead for the morning and living veterans for the rest of the day (Live Science).

Humans of Downey - Carlos

"This story is about an incident during the summer between my junior and senior years of high school and how it changed the path I was headed down to a better path. I was an artist, I loved to draw, but I also loved to tag. I remember this day very well. It is a clear image in my memory. I was hanging around this day with a group of guys. They were a few years older than me and I thought I was cool to be with them. They decided to go tagging on the freeway. It was broad daylight. This was not the brightest of ideas. So we went to the 710 freeway where we knew of an entrance to get us in.

"When we were done and leaving, the cops were waiting for us. So, I thought, if I run to the riverbed I can get away. But instead, I fell in the water because of the moss under the water was so slippery. For a second I was under the water and the current was pretty strong. I got myself up, though, and continued across the riverbed to the other side. But the cops were waiting for me there. So they took all four of us to the Bell police station. I remember sitting there all soaked and smelly thinking, 'What am I doing here? I'm not this type of person.'

"In my senior year I met this teacher named Mr. Synop. It was his first year of teaching and he was the most inspirational teacher I have ever had. He would approach me after class and tell me that I had done a good job that day. There was another teacher, my art teacher, that kind of watched me grow up in high school. She had me as a freshman and now as a senior. So she saw how I had developed. I wasn't a bad student. I actually had straight As during my senior year.

"Mr. Synop would sit me down sometimes and tell me that I was a leader in the class. He said that if I tell the class to hush up and listen, they do it. He said I was an example for the others by always doing my homework. Also, I would help anyone that needed help in the class. That year turned me around. First, because of the recognition that I'm not going to waste my life in police stations. Second, because of the attention and encouragement that my English teacher and art teacher gave me. Now, I'm a better person for it."

Humans of Downey - Fredy

"I would say that my mother is my hero. My mom pretty much raised four kids by herself. When we were young, she struggled a lot. She went out of her way to make sure we were successful, that we accomplished things in life, even though it affected her in a negative way. She never took care of herself, but she always took care of us. In my early teens, I decided school wasn't as important as mom had made it out to be, so when she dropped us off at school, I started to not make it all the way into school. When my mom found out, she was not happy and it came out in the tone and volume of her voice. She let me know what my future would be like if I didn't go to school and tied it back to her own experiences. After that, I decided to always attend school and make her proud.

"My next great adventure is being with Jessie and helping to raise our new baby girl, Robin. She's a girl so I'm a little more concerned. Right now, she's a good baby. People are starting to warn me that she's spoiled already. The next couple of years are going to be interesting and very foundational. I'm hoping to take the values my mom modeled for us and model them for Robin. Jessie will model the values of compassion, caring for others, and a family-centered life to Robin. I'm looking forward to our next great adventure."

~ Fredy

Remembering those who served

One of the things they did this year at the Memorial Day Ceremony was to share some personal stories of service and sacrifice. Bo Wallace read a letter that told the story of the last time anyone saw her brother—USMC, PFC Warren Jackson Rarick, MIA. Larry Latimer shared a little of the story of his father Warren Wallace, a WW11 Corporal who returned from his service to raise his family here in Downey.

Hearing these stories was a touching reminder that our soldiers, these patriots, are ordinary people thrust into circumstances sometimes beyond their control, yet they were willing to put their lives on the line for us—their friends, family, their country.

"Sometimes I think about America,
about her struggles through the years.
I think of people who did what they had to do
with the strength to act through their fears."
~ American Tears, Teresa Jennings

Recognizing those who served

Every year at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Downey Cemetery, a roll call is taken of those present who have served in past wars, starting with World War II. This year, Charles Eldridge was the only WWII veteran present. He proudly raised his hand, while the crowd applauded. The roll call then went on, to acknowledge those who served in Korea, in Vietnam, in the Middle East...the list was long (too long).

I didn't get the chance to find out Mr. Eldridge's story, other than that he served in the Navy in the Atlantic. But I'm glad that he and many other veterans were able to attend the ceremony, giving the rest of us the chance to thank them all for their service and sacrifice for our country.

It's carnival time again!

This evening I went to check out the Downey High School Carnival.There were lots more people than the last time I went, which made it a more fun event. There were the usual stuffed bears hanging from many of the tents with the hawkers calling out what you needed to do to win a bear. I have to admit, I was a little tempted by the minions.

Like magic

The first thing I noticed about this house was the interesting metallic flowers scattered around the yard. Then I happened to notice the unique flower baskets on the trunk of the palm tree.

It wasn't until I noticed the baskets way, way up one of the palm trees that it occurred to me to wonder, how do they water these baskets? And it wasn't until I had the chance to examine the photos more closely that, like magic tricks seen up close, the wires (and tubes) that make the trick possible became apparent.

I feel the earth move...

I came across this scene recently. I imagine it's a result of the strong winds we had a few weeks ago. The tree didn't bend, or break—it just simply toppled, trapping the truck underneath it.