Locklin Cemetery, in rural Milam County, is surrounded by  beautiful topography.   The gently cared-for final resting place is also 180 years-old.  The first burial, that of blacksmith Peter M. Mercer, was in 1844.   Through the years it’s grown to include approximately 400 burials.   It can be found at the end of a dirt road  several  miles north of Thorndale.  That road concludes this offering.    A friend mentioned this site several years ago.   Sometimes, if the light isn’t right, I’ll just drive through.   On this visit, however, the sun’s rays were doing fine work across the landscape.   You might know by now that I’m intrigued by cemeteries.   I wish they were all as well-maintained as this one.  

After a few days of community journalism, a return to familiar territory on the Blackland Prairie. Near sunset last evening a little distance east of Granger, Texas.  I’d usually look for subject matter to include with the sun, but the grove of trees  had a certain smoky appearance, reason enough to offer this one.

Some of us have lived long enough to recall when war protesters were burning American flags, mostly during the Vietnam era.     I wonder how many know that flags are officially (and respectfully) retired  in fire.   Last evening I returned to the site of Georgetown’s Field of Honor to observe and record the ceremony.   The young lady in the first photo, now 16, oversaw the ceremony, assisted by Scouting America troops and American Heritage Girls.    I’ve been taking the leader’s  photo since she was 8, when the Field of Honor first came here.    The offerings don’t need much added information, but take note of the lady in the red blouse being handed a piece of a flag to retire.   She’s from a Gold Star family.  Her brother was a Marine from Pflugerville, Texas  who died during combat in Iraq in 2004.   Weather permitting, flag retirement ceremonies continue here  this week, usually beginning at sunset.   If you haven’t attended one of these, they merit your time.

Every year since returning to Texas in 2009, I’ve photographed the Veterans Day observance in Sun City’s Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza.  Along with a little over 1,000 attendees I was there again today.    This post begins with Ernie Columbus, one of the most amazing veterans I’ve been honored to know.   Now 104, Ernie has jumped out of a plane twice since turning 100.  We first met when I photographed a Sun City softball game.   Then in his late-90s, Ernie was zipping around the bases like a teenager.   This World War II veteran is inspiring.   Whenever he’s present, he’ll always be the first photograph I post.   The keynote speaker Command Sergeant Major Michelle L. Thompson, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Deputy Adjutant General-Army for the State of Texas.  She’s presented twice, first in a salute during the Pledge of Allegiance, also during her speech.  Her speech, on the computer before her, had a little hiccup.   A Georgetown High School member of the school orchestra, came to the rescue to fix the issue.   Many 15-year-olds are wizards in today’s cyber world.    Most others are self-explanatory, but I like the last one, a couple holding hands during the observance.  He’s a 96-year-old Navy veteran who served in World War II.    Have a good night, friends.

Opening ceremonies were held this afternoon at Georgetown’s Field of Honor, a Rotary Club of Georgetown offering in its 8th year here.   2,000 American flags adorn the ten acre field at San Gabriel Park.   I’m making this a shorter post since the last couple have also been from here.   The first photo is a dandy salute to the National Anthem by an Army Sgt Major, the day’s keynote speaker.   A 5-year-old joined his mom, an Army Sergeant, as they made their entrance during a parade.   The little boy covering his ears during a rifle volley is the nephew of a Marine from Pflugerville who was killed in action on November 13, 2004 in Iraq.   Taps is played near the end of the ceremony.   And I return once more to the “Remembering Our Fallen” exhibit, 5,394 photos of soldiers who have died.   The lady at the exhibit lost her Army husband in 2015. His photo is among those here.   If you visit the Field of Honor, this might be the most moving thing you see, maybe more so than the flags.  The Field of Honor continues until November 17th.

Several hours today were once again spent at the Georgetown Field of Honor, an event sponsored by the Rotary Club of Georgetown, with 2,000 American flags placed on ten acres in San Gabriel Park.   At the Field of Honor families and individuals can repost flags honoring someone close to them.   It’s neat to observe and photograph these moments.   New to this year’s event is “Remembering Our Fallen,” 5,394 photographs of those who have lost their lives while serving.   The inspiration for this was from a Nebraska father who felt that his son had been forgotten.  I spent a lot of time looking at those photographs.   And will do so again.   The one included is of a soldier from Pflugerville who was killed in Iraq in 2006.   There are many more.   This post just includes snippets from today.   I liked the 2-year-old with a long blond mullet holding onto grandpa’s hand after they posted a flag.    And a 3-year-old latching onto the hand of his great-grandpa.   The couple embracing after a posting a flag honoring his World War II veteran dad.   The Rosa Parks quote placed on a sign is pertinent today.  You don’t know who she was?  Look her up.   Finally, a 94-year-old Marine joined fellow Marines in commemorating the 249th birthday of the Marines, which is November 10th.    There was a cake-cutting with a sword, but for this post I preferred that gentleman’s face.    If you’re in the area, stop by.   It’s there all week and costs you nothing but time and energy.

Just something I noticed this evening while at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park.   The moon and that tree made a nice pairing.

Georgetown’s Field of Honor, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Georgetown, finished setting up their display of 2,000 American flags on Friday at San Gabriel Park.   It officially opens Saturday, but I was there for a while this evening for an early look.   With events planned throughout the week, the Field of Honor will be there until November 17th.  

A few things observed during my daily strolls this week in Taylor.    This and that, all taken with an Olympus camera probably costing less than your smartphone.    This isn’t rocket science, friends.   Just watching light.  And critters. 

Photographs like this one of Granger’s  1909 S.P.J.S.T. Hall are among the reasons I don’t like Daylight Savings Time.   I took this one at around 6:30 tonight.   In July, it would’ve been close to 9:30 before I could take it.   With tripod at the ready, I’m a big fan of evening photography.   Downtown Granger’s West Davilla Street is brick.   When evening comes it just glows.  S.P.J.S.T. halls are a Czech  fraternal society founded in LaGrange, Texas in 1897.  The latest information I found indicates there are 104 sites, with 40,000 members throughout Texas.   In case you’re wondering the letters stand for Slovanska Podporujici  Jednota Statu Texas.  In English, Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas.   Someone would ask.