KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting on Interstate 70 near Kansas City.

Just before 11:30am Monday, the 911 Center received several calls of a man standing along westbound Interstate 70 in Grain Valley, waiving a gun around. A citizen on the north outer road stopped and confronted the armed man, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

&nbsp;The citizen shot the armed man. The citizen was not injured but the other man was. EMS transported him to a hospital and was in stable condition. The citizen is cooperating with investigators.

The investigation is being conducted by the Division of Drug and Crime Control, according to the MSHP.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting on Interstate 70 near Kansas City.Just before 11:30am Monday, the 911 Center received several calls of a man standing along westbound Interstate 70 in Grain Valley, waiving a gun around. A citizen on the north outer road stopped and confronted the armed man, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.&nbsp;The citizen shot the armed man. The citizen was not injured but the other man was. EMS transported him to a hospital and was in stable condition. The citizen is cooperating with investigators.The investigation is being conducted by the Division of Drug and Crime Control, according to the MSHP.

Patrol: Man shot after waving gun around on I-70

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's Interior Ministry on Monday issued an arrest warrant for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham following his comments related to the fighting in Ukraine.

In an edited video of his meeting on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that was released by Zelenskyy's office, Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, noted that “the Russians are dying” and described the U.S. military assistance to the country as “the best money we’ve ever spent.”

While Graham appeared to have made the remarks in different parts of the conversation, the short video by Ukraine's presidential office put them next to each other, causing outrage in Russia.

Russian President Vladiir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented Sunday by saying that “it's hard to imagine a greater shame for the country than having such senators.”

The Investigative Committee, the country's top criminal investigation agency, has moved to open a criminal inquiry against Graham, and the Interior Ministry followed up by issuing a warrant for his arrest as indicated Monday by its official record of wanted criminal suspects.

Graham is among more than 200 U.S. members of Congress whom Moscow banned last year from entering Russia.

Graham commented on Twitter, saying that “to know that my commitment to Ukraine has drawn the ire of Putin’s regime brings me immense joy.”

“I will continue to stand with and for Ukraine’s freedom until every Russian soldier is expelled from Ukrainian territory,” he tweeted. “I will wear the arrest warrant issued by Putin’s corrupt and immoral government as a Badge of Honor.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685377192797.png" alt="Senator Lindsey Graham meeting with U.S. troops in Poland over the Memorial Day weekend-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Senator Lindsey Graham meeting with U.S. troops in Poland over the Memorial Day weekend-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's Interior Ministry on Monday issued an arrest warrant for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham following his comments related to the fighting in Ukraine.In an edited video of his meeting on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that was released by Zelenskyy's office, Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, noted that “the Russians are dying” and described the U.S. military assistance to the country as “the best money we’ve ever spent.”While Graham appeared to have made the remarks in different parts of the conversation, the short video by Ukraine's presidential office put them next to each other, causing outrage in Russia.Russian President Vladiir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented Sunday by saying that “it's hard to imagine a greater shame for the country than having such senators.”The Investigative Committee, the country's top criminal investigation agency, has moved to open a criminal inquiry against Graham, and the Interior Ministry followed up by issuing a warrant for his arrest as indicated Monday by its official record of wanted criminal suspects.Graham is among more than 200 U.S. members of Congress whom Moscow banned last year from entering Russia.Graham commented on Twitter, saying that “to know that my commitment to Ukraine has drawn the ire of Putin’s regime brings me immense joy.”“I will continue to stand with and for Ukraine’s freedom until every Russian soldier is expelled from Ukrainian territory,” he tweeted. “I will wear the arrest warrant issued by Putin’s corrupt and immoral government as a Badge of Honor.”

Russia issues arrest warrant for U.S. Senator over Ukraine comments

GOWER, Missouri (AP) —Hundreds of people flocked to a small town in Missouri this week and last to see a Black nun whose body has barely decomposed since 2019. Some say it's a sign of holiness in Catholicism, while others say the lack of decomposition may not be as rare as people think.

Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster was exhumed in April, according to a statement from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in Gower, Missouri.

The nuns had been preparing for the addition of a St. Joseph shrine, and that involved “the reinterment of the remains of our beloved foundress, Sister Wilhelmina,” the statement said.

When they exhumed Lancaster, they were told to expect only bones, since she had been buried in a simple wooden coffin without any embalming four years ago.

Instead, they discovered an intact body and “a perfectly preserved religious habit," the statement said. The nuns hadn't meant to publicize the discovery, but someone posted a private email publicly and “the news began to spread like wildfire.”

Volunteers and local law enforcement have helped to manage the crowds in the town of roughly 1,800 people, as people have visited from all over the country to see and touch Lancaster's body.

“It was pretty amazing,” said Samuel Dawson, who is Catholic and visited from Kansas City with his son last week. “It was very peaceful. Just very reverent.”

Dawson said there were a few hundred people when he visited and that he saw many out-of-state cars.

Visitors were allowed to touch her, Dawson said, adding that the nuns “wanted to make her accessible to the public ... because in real life, she was always accessible to people.”

The monastery said in a statement that Lancaster's body will be placed in a glass shrine in their church on Monday. Visitors will still be able to see her body and take dirt from her grave, but they won't be able to touch her.

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph also released a statement.

“The condition of the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster has understandably generated widespread interest and raised important questions," the diocese said. “At the same time, it is important to protect the integrity of the mortal remains of Sister Wilhelmina to allow for a thorough investigation.”

“Incorruptibility has been verified in the past, but it is very rare. There is a well-established process to pursue the cause for sainthood, but that has not been initiated in this case yet,” the diocese added.

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, also said that Lancaster has not yet reached the required minimum of five years since death for the sainthood process to begin.

Rebecca George, an anthropology instructor at Western Carolina University in North Carolina, said the body's lack of decomposition might not be as rare as people are expecting.

George said the “mummification” of un-embalmed bodies is common at the university's facility and the bodies could stay preserved for many years, if allowed to.

Coffins and clothing also help to preserve bodies, she said.

“Typically, when we bury people, we don’t exhume them. We don’t get to look at them a couple years out,” George said. “With 100 years, there might be nothing left. But when you’ve got just a few years out, this is not unexpected.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685443513872.png" alt="People wait to view the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles abbey Sunday, May 28, 2023, near Gower, Mo.Hundreds of people visited the small town in Missouri this week to see the nun's body that has barely decomposed since 2019 — some are saying it's a sign of holiness in Catholicism, while others are saying the lack of decomposition may not be as rare as people think. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>People wait to view the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles abbey Sunday, May 28, 2023, near Gower, Mo.Hundreds of people visited the small town in Missouri this week to see the nun's body that has barely decomposed since 2019 — some are saying it's a sign of holiness in Catholicism, while others are saying the lack of decomposition may not be as rare as people think. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>GOWER, Missouri (AP) —Hundreds of people flocked to a small town in Missouri this week and last to see a Black nun whose body has barely decomposed since 2019. Some say it's a sign of holiness in Catholicism, while others say the lack of decomposition may not be as rare as people think.Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster was exhumed in April, according to a statement from the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in Gower, Missouri.The nuns had been preparing for the addition of a St. Joseph shrine, and that involved “the reinterment of the remains of our beloved foundress, Sister Wilhelmina,” the statement said.When they exhumed Lancaster, they were told to expect only bones, since she had been buried in a simple wooden coffin without any embalming four years ago.Instead, they discovered an intact body and “a perfectly preserved religious habit," the statement said. The nuns hadn't meant to publicize the discovery, but someone posted a private email publicly and “the news began to spread like wildfire.”Volunteers and local law enforcement have helped to manage the crowds in the town of roughly 1,800 people, as people have visited from all over the country to see and touch Lancaster's body.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685443722078.png" alt="People pray over the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles abbey Sunday, May 28, 2023, near Gower, Mo. Hundreds of people visited the small town in Missouri this week to see the nun's body that has barely decomposed since 2019 — some are saying it's a sign of holiness in Catholicism, while others are saying the lack of decomposition may not be as rare as people think. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>People pray over the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles abbey Sunday, May 28, 2023, near Gower, Mo. Hundreds of people visited the small town in Missouri this week to see the nun's body that has barely decomposed since 2019 — some are saying it's a sign of holiness in Catholicism, while others are saying the lack of decomposition may not be as rare as people think. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It was pretty amazing,” said Samuel Dawson, who is Catholic and visited from Kansas City with his son last week. “It was very peaceful. Just very reverent.”Dawson said there were a few hundred people when he visited and that he saw many out-of-state cars.Visitors were allowed to touch her, Dawson said, adding that the nuns “wanted to make her accessible to the public ... because in real life, she was always accessible to people.”The monastery said in a statement that Lancaster's body will be placed in a glass shrine in their church on Monday. Visitors will still be able to see her body and take dirt from her grave, but they won't be able to touch her.The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph also released a statement.“The condition of the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster has understandably generated widespread interest and raised important questions," the diocese said. “At the same time, it is important to protect the integrity of the mortal remains of Sister Wilhelmina to allow for a thorough investigation.”“Incorruptibility has been verified in the past, but it is very rare. There is a well-established process to pursue the cause for sainthood, but that has not been initiated in this case yet,” the diocese added.The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, also said that Lancaster has not yet reached the required minimum of five years since death for the sainthood process to begin.Rebecca George, an anthropology instructor at Western Carolina University in North Carolina, said the body's lack of decomposition might not be as rare as people are expecting.George said the “mummification” of un-embalmed bodies is common at the university's facility and the bodies could stay preserved for many years, if allowed to.Coffins and clothing also help to preserve bodies, she said.“Typically, when we bury people, we don’t exhume them. We don’t get to look at them a couple years out,” George said. “With 100 years, there might be nothing left. But when you’ve got just a few years out, this is not unexpected.”

Nun whose body shows little decay since death draws hundreds to rural Missouri

BOURBON COUNTY—A Kansas Sheriff used social media to remind residents not to drink and drive. Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin posted&nbsp;photos of the second DUI deputies worked during the Memorial Day weekend in the county.

 The driver walked away without a scratch. However, this incident could have ended much worse.&nbsp; Please celebrate responsibly and don’t drink and drive.&nbsp; The sheriff's office reported no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685412017942.png" alt="Photos Bourbon County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Bourbon County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BOURBON COUNTY—A Kansas Sheriff used social media to remind residents not to drink and drive. Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin posted&nbsp;photos of the second DUI deputies worked during the Memorial Day weekend in the county.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685411999546.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> The driver walked away without a scratch. However, this incident could have ended much worse.&nbsp; Please celebrate responsibly and don’t drink and drive.&nbsp; The sheriff's office reported no additional details.

Crash prompts warning from Kan. sheriff about drinking and driving

CASSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Authorities in a small Missouri town continue to search for an emergency room physician a week-and-a-half after his mysterious disappearance.

Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was last heard from on May 21. Police said he was reported missing when he failed to show up for work that day at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, a town of 3,100 residents deep in the Missouri Ozarks.

“This is very unusual for him,” Forsyth’s brother, Richard Forsyth, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ozarksfirst.com/top-stories/search-continues-for-missing-cassville-doctor-family-reacts/">KOLR-TV</a>. “This is a punctual man who has never missed a day of work in his life, not even for being sick.”

Forsyth's black Infiniti was found in a remote area near an aquatic park in Cassville. The car was unlocked with his wallet, two phones and a laptop inside.

Several law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, have joined in the search using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information.

“My brother has now been missing for week. I’m grieving, I’m afraid, and it feels like the world has tipped into sheer chaos,” his sister, Tiffany Andelin, wrote on Monday.

Phone and email messages left Tuesday with Cassville police were not immediately returned. Police have said there were no signs of foul play.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685465277680.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CASSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Authorities in a small Missouri town continue to search for an emergency room physician a week-and-a-half after his mysterious disappearance.Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was last heard from on May 21. Police said he was reported missing when he failed to show up for work that day at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, a town of 3,100 residents deep in the Missouri Ozarks.“This is very unusual for him,” Forsyth’s brother, Richard Forsyth, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ozarksfirst.com/top-stories/search-continues-for-missing-cassville-doctor-family-reacts/">KOLR-TV</a>. “This is a punctual man who has never missed a day of work in his life, not even for being sick.”Forsyth's black Infiniti was found in a remote area near an aquatic park in Cassville. The car was unlocked with his wallet, two phones and a laptop inside.Several law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, have joined in the search using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information.“My brother has now been missing for week. I’m grieving, I’m afraid, and it feels like the world has tipped into sheer chaos,” his sister, Tiffany Andelin, wrote on Monday.Phone and email messages left Tuesday with Cassville police were not immediately returned. Police have said there were no signs of foul play.

Search continues for missing rural Missouri doctor

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man was sentenced to 262 months in prison for creating pornographic images of children.

In February 2023, Marquis Williams, 31, of Shawnee pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents in May 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent information to the Shawnee Police Department about possible child pornography or solicitations over the Internet. 

The Shawnee Police Department is a partner in the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). The tip stated 230 child pornography images had been uploaded into a Dropbox account.

An investigation led to Marquis Williams, and with a search warrant for his residence, officers retrieved a cell phone that included 550 images of suspected child pornography. Some of the images were of Williams molesting two children under the age of 12. 

Williams admitted to investigators that the Dropbox account was his and admitted to the sexual assaulting the children.

“The United States Secret Service is proud of the effective partnerships it maintains with the Shawnee Police Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the United

States Attorney’s Office, whose tireless efforts were instrumental in seeing justice served in this case,” said Kansas City Field Office Special Agent in Charge Brandon Bridgeforth. “We can think of no greater outcome than this sentence in protecting our children from predators such as Marquis Williams.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685198043074.png" alt="Williams photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man was sentenced to 262 months in prison for creating pornographic images of children.In February 2023, Marquis Williams, 31, of Shawnee pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents in May 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent information to the Shawnee Police Department about possible child pornography or solicitations over the Internet. The Shawnee Police Department is a partner in the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). The tip stated 230 child pornography images had been uploaded into a Dropbox account.An investigation led to Marquis Williams, and with a search warrant for his residence, officers retrieved a cell phone that included 550 images of suspected child pornography. Some of the images were of Williams molesting two children under the age of 12. Williams admitted to investigators that the Dropbox account was his and admitted to the sexual assaulting the children.“The United States Secret Service is proud of the effective partnerships it maintains with the Shawnee Police Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the UnitedStates Attorney’s Office, whose tireless efforts were instrumental in seeing justice served in this case,” said Kansas City Field Office Special Agent in Charge Brandon Bridgeforth. “We can think of no greater outcome than this sentence in protecting our children from predators such as Marquis Williams.”

Police found images of Kan. man molesting children on his phone

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an arrest.

Just after noon Thursday,&nbsp;deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 1800 block of SW 66th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a woman and were giving commands for the man to exit the residence.

However, he jumped out a back window and fled the scene on foot. Other law enforcement officers, including a K9 Unit, arrived in the area to assist. The man was taken into custody in the 6600 block of SW Morrill Road.

Tanner B. Reed, 32, of Topeka, had a felony warrant for his arrest. Reed was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his arrest warrant and requested charges that include possession of an opiate, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685132636149.png" alt="Reed-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Reed-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an arrest.Just after noon Thursday,&nbsp;deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 1800 block of SW 66th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a woman and were giving commands for the man to exit the residence.However, he jumped out a back window and fled the scene on foot. Other law enforcement officers, including a K9 Unit, arrived in the area to assist. The man was taken into custody in the 6600 block of SW Morrill Road.Tanner B. Reed, 32, of Topeka, had a felony warrant for his arrest. Reed was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his arrest warrant and requested charges that include possession of an opiate, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with law enforcement.

Wanted Kansas suspect jumped out window of home 

Earthwork honors Dole’s 100th birthday, 20th anniversary of Dole Institute

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

LAWRENCE — Artist Stan Herd can flip back through the pages of time to recall an “illegal” trip to Cuba with political titan Bob Dole.

There were chance meetings, too, of the Kansas politician from Russell and the artist from Protection. But Herd cherished a chat with Dole at a Lawrence hotel in which the two men reminisced about connections to World War II. They reflected on Dole’s lifechanging combat in the mountains of Italy as well as the military service of Herd’s father in the Pacific theater.

Dole, a native of Russell, overcame near-fatal wounds to serve in Congress and was a three-time Republican presidential candidate before his death in 2021.

“I wouldn’t say I was close to him until later when I saw him a few years back,” Herd said. “He was very sharp. We never really talked about politics.”

Herd, who has created a collection of massive images using the earth as a canvas, worked Friday on a tribute to Dole on grounds of the Robert Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. The project is part of a celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Dole’s birth and 20th anniversary of the Dole Institute.

Audrey Coleman, director of the Dole Institute, said the objective was to commemorate the anniversaries through broad engagement with the public. A celebration of Dole’s bipartisan leadership can serve as inspiration for the next generation, she said.

“The Dole Institute’s mission to cultivate common ground and bipartisan compromise in tomorrow’s leaders has never been more important,” Coleman said.

Herd’s career in painting and installation art has spanned 40 years. He’s completed projects with major companies and organizations. There are earthworks in Kansas and a dozen other states as well as China, Cuba, Australia and Brazil. His art has delved into issues of the environment, agriculture, science and the humanities.

He developed outdoor portraits — some temporary, others permanent — of entertainer Will Rogers, Kiowa Chief Satanta, aviator Amelia Earhart, author Elie Wiesel, President Joe Biden, writer Maya Angelou and politician John Lewis.

In 1994, he completed “Countryside,” an image of the Kansas landscape on New York property owned by Donald Trump. The 2001 “Rosa Blanca” project in Havana was inspired by a poem by Cuban native Jose Marti. Others dot Kansas, including the petroglyph-like image of a prairie dweller in Cowley County and the “Medicine Wheel” at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence.

In April, Herd ceremonially broke ground for the temporary Dole portrait under construction on the east side of the Dole Institute. He was joined with shovel-toting former U.S. Sens. Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Trent Lott of Mississippi — both peers of Dole.

A campaign photograph of Dole was selected by the Dole Institute for the earthwork. The project will incorporate tiles painted by students illustrating their sentiments about Kansas.

The earthwork is to be presented July 22 during a free, family-friendly event at the Dole Institute also featuring a military flyover and music. It was 20 years ago on July 22 — Dole’s 80th birthday — that he spoke at dedication of the Dole Institute along with former President Jimmy Carter, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and broadcaster Tom Brokaw.

Herd’s landscape portrait is scheduled to remain in place through the October homecoming football game at KU.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to create a work that signifies reengaging people with the legacy of this distinguished Kansan and his leadership that prioritized finding common ground,” Herd said. “That is a concept that could use some attention these days.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685232294393.png" alt=" Artist Stan Herd is working on a earthwork portrait of the late Bob Dole for the 20th anniversary of the Dole Institute of Politics on July 22 in Lawrence. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Artist Stan Herd is working on a earthwork portrait of the late Bob Dole for the 20th anniversary of the Dole Institute of Politics on July 22 in Lawrence. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Earthwork honors Dole’s 100th birthday, 20th anniversary of Dole Institute</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>LAWRENCE — Artist Stan Herd can flip back through the pages of time to recall an “illegal” trip to Cuba with political titan Bob Dole.There were chance meetings, too, of the Kansas politician from Russell and the artist from Protection. But Herd cherished a chat with Dole at a Lawrence hotel in which the two men reminisced about connections to World War II. They reflected on Dole’s lifechanging combat in the mountains of Italy as well as the military service of Herd’s father in the Pacific theater.Dole, a native of Russell, overcame near-fatal wounds to serve in Congress and was a three-time Republican presidential candidate before his death in 2021.“I wouldn’t say I was close to him until later when I saw him a few years back,” Herd said. “He was very sharp. We never really talked about politics.”Herd, who has created a collection of massive images using the earth as a canvas, worked Friday on a tribute to Dole on grounds of the Robert Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. The project is part of a celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Dole’s birth and 20th anniversary of the Dole Institute.Audrey Coleman, director of the Dole Institute, said the objective was to commemorate the anniversaries through broad engagement with the public. A celebration of Dole’s bipartisan leadership can serve as inspiration for the next generation, she said.“The Dole Institute’s mission to cultivate common ground and bipartisan compromise in tomorrow’s leaders has never been more important,” Coleman said.Herd’s career in painting and installation art has spanned 40 years. He’s completed projects with major companies and organizations. There are earthworks in Kansas and a dozen other states as well as China, Cuba, Australia and Brazil. His art has delved into issues of the environment, agriculture, science and the humanities.He developed outdoor portraits — some temporary, others permanent — of entertainer Will Rogers, Kiowa Chief Satanta, aviator Amelia Earhart, author Elie Wiesel, President Joe Biden, writer Maya Angelou and politician John Lewis.In 1994, he completed “Countryside,” an image of the Kansas landscape on New York property owned by Donald Trump. The 2001 “Rosa Blanca” project in Havana was inspired by a poem by Cuban native Jose Marti. Others dot Kansas, including the petroglyph-like image of a prairie dweller in Cowley County and the “Medicine Wheel” at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence.In April, Herd ceremonially broke ground for the temporary Dole portrait under construction on the east side of the Dole Institute. He was joined with shovel-toting former U.S. Sens. Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Trent Lott of Mississippi — both peers of Dole.A campaign photograph of Dole was selected by the Dole Institute for the earthwork. The project will incorporate tiles painted by students illustrating their sentiments about Kansas.The earthwork is to be presented July 22 during a free, family-friendly event at the Dole Institute also featuring a military flyover and music. It was 20 years ago on July 22 — Dole’s 80th birthday — that he spoke at dedication of the Dole Institute along with former President Jimmy Carter, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and broadcaster Tom Brokaw.Herd’s landscape portrait is scheduled to remain in place through the October homecoming football game at KU.“I am honored to have the opportunity to create a work that signifies reengaging people with the legacy of this distinguished Kansan and his leadership that prioritized finding common ground,” Herd said. “That is a concept that could use some attention these days.”

Artist Stan Herd bringing to life image of the late Bob Dole on Lawrence hillside

WASHINGTON &nbsp;&nbsp;–&nbsp;&nbsp;The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory V. Knoll 22, of Garden City, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for earlier this year. He is scheduled for burial July 7, in Garden City, according to the Defense MIA/POW Accounting Agency. In November 1944, Knoll was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. His battalion had been tasked with capturing the town of Schmidt, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest. A heavy German counterattack overran his unit and forces survivors to withdraw to Kommerscheidt where they fought against additional enemy attacks. He was reported killed in action on Nov. 7., while fighting enemy forces at Kommerscheidt. His remains could not be recovered after the attack.

Following the end of the war, the American Graves Registration Command was tasked with investigating and recovering missing American personnel in Europe. They conducted several investigations in the Hürtgen area between 1946 and 1950 but were unable to recover or identify Knoll’s remains. He was declared non-recoverable in November 1951. While studying unresolved American losses in the Hürtgen area, a DPAA historian determined that one set of unidentified remains, designated X-2519 Neuville, recovered at Kommerscheidt in April 1946, possibly belonged to Knoll. The remains, which had been buried in Ardennes American Cemetery, an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.abmc.gov/">American Battle Monuments Commission</a>&nbsp;site in Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium, in 1949, were disinterred in July 2021 and sent to the DPAA laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for identification. To identify Knoll’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/AFMES#:~:text=AFMES%20provides%20the%20DOD%20and,the%20entire%20U.S.%20federal%20government.">Armed Forces Medical Examiner System</a>&nbsp;used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR), and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis. Knoll’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, an<a href="http://www.abmc.gov/">&nbsp;American Battle Monuments Commission</a>&nbsp;site in Plombières, Belgium, along with the others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685366097921.png" alt="Gregory Knoll&nbsp; photo courtesy&nbsp;Defense MIA/POW Accounting Agency" />
 <figcaption>Gregory Knoll&nbsp; photo courtesy&nbsp;Defense MIA/POW Accounting Agency</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON &nbsp;&nbsp;–&nbsp;&nbsp;The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory V. Knoll 22, of Garden City, Kansas, killed during World War II, was accounted for earlier this year. He is scheduled for burial July 7, in Garden City, according to the Defense MIA/POW Accounting Agency. In November 1944, Knoll was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. His battalion had been tasked with capturing the town of Schmidt, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest. A heavy German counterattack overran his unit and forces survivors to withdraw to Kommerscheidt where they fought against additional enemy attacks. He was reported killed in action on Nov. 7., while fighting enemy forces at Kommerscheidt. His remains could not be recovered after the attack.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685366310826.png" alt="Image courtesy Defense MIA/POW Accounting Agency" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Defense MIA/POW Accounting Agency</figcaption>
 </figure>Following the end of the war, the American Graves Registration Command was tasked with investigating and recovering missing American personnel in Europe. They conducted several investigations in the Hürtgen area between 1946 and 1950 but were unable to recover or identify Knoll’s remains. He was declared non-recoverable in November 1951. While studying unresolved American losses in the Hürtgen area, a DPAA historian determined that one set of unidentified remains, designated X-2519 Neuville, recovered at Kommerscheidt in April 1946, possibly belonged to Knoll. The remains, which had been buried in Ardennes American Cemetery, an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.abmc.gov/">American Battle Monuments Commission</a>&nbsp;site in Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium, in 1949, were disinterred in July 2021 and sent to the DPAA laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for identification. To identify Knoll’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/AFMES#:~:text=AFMES%20provides%20the%20DOD%20and,the%20entire%20U.S.%20federal%20government.">Armed Forces Medical Examiner System</a>&nbsp;used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR), and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis. Knoll’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, an<a href="http://www.abmc.gov/">&nbsp;American Battle Monuments Commission</a>&nbsp;site in Plombières, Belgium, along with the others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.

A final resting place in Kansas for soldier who died in WWII 

BOSTON (AP) — Teens have long been vital to filling out the summertime staffs of restaurants, ice cream stands, amusement parks and camps.

Now, thanks to one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-1bdc4e585c3c40ec14b9a40d9f8fe65f">tightest labor markets in decades</a>, they have even more sway, with an array of jobs to choose from at ever higher wages.

To ease the labor crunch, some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/child-labor-laws-alabama-ohio-c1123a80970518676be44088619c6205">states are moving to roll back restrictions</a>&nbsp;to let teens work more hours and, in some cases, more hazardous jobs — much to the chagrin of labor rights groups, who see it as a troubling trend.

Economists say there are other ways to expand the workforce without putting more of a burden on kids, including by allowing more legal immigration.

At Funtown Splashtown USA, an amusement park in southern Maine, teens play a critical role in keeping the attractions open, which isn't as easy as it used to be.

General Manager Cory Hutchinson anticipates hiring about 350 workers this summer, including many local high schoolers, compared with more than 500 in past summers.

“We literally do not have enough people to staff the place seven days a week and into the evenings,” he said. This summer, Funtown Splashtown will only be open six days a week, and will close at 6 p.m., instead of 9 p.m.

In April, nearly 34% of Americans aged 16 to 19 had jobs, according to government data. That compares with 30% four years ago, the last pre-pandemic summer.

More jobs are available for those who want them: There are roughly 1.6 jobs open for every person that is unemployed, according to the Labor Department. In normal times, that ratio is about 1:1.

At RideAway Adventures on Cape Cod, which offers kayak, bike and paddleboard rentals and tours, finding enough teen workers hasn't been a challenge. Owner Mike Morrison chalks it up to the fact that RideAway is a desirable place to work compared with other options.

“They’re not washing dishes and they get to be outside and active,” Morrison said.

Plus, while he typically starts off new teen hires at $15 an hour, the state’s minimum wage, he will bump up the pay of hard workers by as much as 50 cents per hour toward the end of July to help keep them through the end of summer.

Maxen Lucas, a graduating senior at Lincoln Academy in Maine, had his first job at 15 as a summer camp dishwasher, followed by a stint as a grocery bagger before getting into landscaping. He said young workers can be choosier now.

“After COVID settled down, everyone was being paid more,” said the 18-year-old from Nobleboro who’ll head off to Maine Maritime Academy this fall.

Indeed, hourly pay jumped about 5% in April from a year ago at restaurants, retailers and amusement parks, the industries likely to employ teens. Before the pandemic, pay in these industries typically rose no more than 3% annually.

Addison Beer, 17, will work this summer at the Virginia G. Piper branch of the Boys &amp; Girls Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she feels a strong connection with colleagues and the kids she helps out.

Because of a scheduling conflict, she temporarily took a job at Zinburger, a restaurant that was desperate for workers. “They just asked me a few questions and were like, ‘Oh, you’re hired!’” she said.

For many teens, the point of a summer job doesn't have to be about finding the highest pay available.

“Having a job is just so I can sustain myself, be more independent, not rely on my parents too much,” said Christopher Au, 19, who has been dishing out ice cream at a J.P. Licks in Boston for the past few months.

Jack Gervais, 18, of Cumberland, Maine, lined up an internship shooting photography at an arts venue and will earn roughly the minimum wage of $13.80 an hour while gaining skills that relate to his career goals. But he said many kids he knows are seeking — and commanding — higher paying jobs.

“Nobody I know would work for minimum wage, unless there were major tips involved," he said.

New Jersey passed a law in 2022 allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work up to 50 hours per week during the summer, when the state’s shore economy swells with tourists. The previous limit was 40 hours per week.

The measure has earned praise from parents.

Sally Rutherford, 56, of North Wildwood, New Jersey, said her 17-year-old son, Billy, was excited about the change. With the money he earns working as a game operator at a Jersey Shore amusement park, he'll be able to help pay for a car.

“It makes him a much more independent and responsible,” she said.

Other states are considering a variety of proposals to expand teens' role in the workplace.

In Wisconsin, lawmakers are backing a proposal to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-underage-alcohol-servers-31e0c73786d5489c626250a279760420">allow 14-year-olds to serve alcohol in bars and restaurants</a>. In Iowa,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-governor-child-labor-laws-e8cb29e2a45b956489c4a192b7ddeba5">the governor signed a bill into law Friday</a>&nbsp;that will allow 16- and 17-year-olds to serve alcohol in restaurants, and to expand the hours minors can work.

Child welfare advocates worry the measures represent a coordinated push to scale back hard-won protections for minors.

Economists say allowing more legal immigration is a key solution to workforce shortages, noting that it has been central to the country’s ability to grow for years in the face of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-demographics-population-age-race-ethnicity-3bf63785a69db2a96a13eb70767c5f5e">aging population</a>.

Many resort towns rely on immigrants with summer visas to staff businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and tourist sites. But immigration fell sharply during the COVID outbreak as the federal government tightened restrictions. In 2022, nearly 285,000 of the summer visas were issued, down from about 350,000 before the pandemic.

The Federal Reserve&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/20230303_mprfullreport.pdf">in March estimated</a>&nbsp;that the overall drop in immigration has cost the United States nearly one million workers, compared with pre-pandemic trends. Immigration is rebounding to pre-COVID levels, but the effects are still being felt.

Another factor straining the labor market is Baby Boomers reaching retirement age. The Federal Reserve calculates that rising retirements has left the economy with about 2 million fewer workers.

Yet despite the significant challenges employers face this summer, labor shortages are much less of a problem than they were in 2021, when the pandemic made many people reluctant to return to consumer-facing jobs. Higher inflation has also incentivized many people to seek work to help their families cover food and rent.

In just the past six months, 2 million Americans who had been out of the workforce have taken jobs or started looking for one. The share of Americans aged 25 through 54 who are working or job-hunting is now above pre-pandemic levels.

BOSTON (AP) — Teens have long been vital to filling out the summertime staffs of restaurants, ice cream stands, amusement parks and camps.Now, thanks to one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-1bdc4e585c3c40ec14b9a40d9f8fe65f">tightest labor markets in decades</a>, they have even more sway, with an array of jobs to choose from at ever higher wages.To ease the labor crunch, some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/child-labor-laws-alabama-ohio-c1123a80970518676be44088619c6205">states are moving to roll back restrictions</a>&nbsp;to let teens work more hours and, in some cases, more hazardous jobs — much to the chagrin of labor rights groups, who see it as a troubling trend.Economists say there are other ways to expand the workforce without putting more of a burden on kids, including by allowing more legal immigration.SEEKING TEEN WORKERSAt Funtown Splashtown USA, an amusement park in southern Maine, teens play a critical role in keeping the attractions open, which isn't as easy as it used to be.General Manager Cory Hutchinson anticipates hiring about 350 workers this summer, including many local high schoolers, compared with more than 500 in past summers.“We literally do not have enough people to staff the place seven days a week and into the evenings,” he said. This summer, Funtown Splashtown will only be open six days a week, and will close at 6 p.m., instead of 9 p.m.In April, nearly 34% of Americans aged 16 to 19 had jobs, according to government data. That compares with 30% four years ago, the last pre-pandemic summer.More jobs are available for those who want them: There are roughly 1.6 jobs open for every person that is unemployed, according to the Labor Department. In normal times, that ratio is about 1:1.At RideAway Adventures on Cape Cod, which offers kayak, bike and paddleboard rentals and tours, finding enough teen workers hasn't been a challenge. Owner Mike Morrison chalks it up to the fact that RideAway is a desirable place to work compared with other options.“They’re not washing dishes and they get to be outside and active,” Morrison said.Plus, while he typically starts off new teen hires at $15 an hour, the state’s minimum wage, he will bump up the pay of hard workers by as much as 50 cents per hour toward the end of July to help keep them through the end of summer.CHOOSIER TEENSMaxen Lucas, a graduating senior at Lincoln Academy in Maine, had his first job at 15 as a summer camp dishwasher, followed by a stint as a grocery bagger before getting into landscaping. He said young workers can be choosier now.“After COVID settled down, everyone was being paid more,” said the 18-year-old from Nobleboro who’ll head off to Maine Maritime Academy this fall.Indeed, hourly pay jumped about 5% in April from a year ago at restaurants, retailers and amusement parks, the industries likely to employ teens. Before the pandemic, pay in these industries typically rose no more than 3% annually.Addison Beer, 17, will work this summer at the Virginia G. Piper branch of the Boys &amp; Girls Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she feels a strong connection with colleagues and the kids she helps out.Because of a scheduling conflict, she temporarily took a job at Zinburger, a restaurant that was desperate for workers. “They just asked me a few questions and were like, ‘Oh, you’re hired!’” she said.For many teens, the point of a summer job doesn't have to be about finding the highest pay available.“Having a job is just so I can sustain myself, be more independent, not rely on my parents too much,” said Christopher Au, 19, who has been dishing out ice cream at a J.P. Licks in Boston for the past few months.Jack Gervais, 18, of Cumberland, Maine, lined up an internship shooting photography at an arts venue and will earn roughly the minimum wage of $13.80 an hour while gaining skills that relate to his career goals. But he said many kids he knows are seeking — and commanding — higher paying jobs.“Nobody I know would work for minimum wage, unless there were major tips involved," he said.EXPANDING TEEN HOURSNew Jersey passed a law in 2022 allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work up to 50 hours per week during the summer, when the state’s shore economy swells with tourists. The previous limit was 40 hours per week.The measure has earned praise from parents.Sally Rutherford, 56, of North Wildwood, New Jersey, said her 17-year-old son, Billy, was excited about the change. With the money he earns working as a game operator at a Jersey Shore amusement park, he'll be able to help pay for a car.“It makes him a much more independent and responsible,” she said.Other states are considering a variety of proposals to expand teens' role in the workplace.In Wisconsin, lawmakers are backing a proposal to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-underage-alcohol-servers-31e0c73786d5489c626250a279760420">allow 14-year-olds to serve alcohol in bars and restaurants</a>. In Iowa,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-governor-child-labor-laws-e8cb29e2a45b956489c4a192b7ddeba5">the governor signed a bill into law Friday</a>&nbsp;that will allow 16- and 17-year-olds to serve alcohol in restaurants, and to expand the hours minors can work.Child welfare advocates worry the measures represent a coordinated push to scale back hard-won protections for minors.IMMIGRATION IS A FACTOREconomists say allowing more legal immigration is a key solution to workforce shortages, noting that it has been central to the country’s ability to grow for years in the face of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-demographics-population-age-race-ethnicity-3bf63785a69db2a96a13eb70767c5f5e">aging population</a>.Many resort towns rely on immigrants with summer visas to staff businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and tourist sites. But immigration fell sharply during the COVID outbreak as the federal government tightened restrictions. In 2022, nearly 285,000 of the summer visas were issued, down from about 350,000 before the pandemic.The Federal Reserve&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/20230303_mprfullreport.pdf">in March estimated</a>&nbsp;that the overall drop in immigration has cost the United States nearly one million workers, compared with pre-pandemic trends. Immigration is rebounding to pre-COVID levels, but the effects are still being felt.LABOR CRUNCH BEGINNING TO EASEAnother factor straining the labor market is Baby Boomers reaching retirement age. The Federal Reserve calculates that rising retirements has left the economy with about 2 million fewer workers.Yet despite the significant challenges employers face this summer, labor shortages are much less of a problem than they were in 2021, when the pandemic made many people reluctant to return to consumer-facing jobs. Higher inflation has also incentivized many people to seek work to help their families cover food and rent.In just the past six months, 2 million Americans who had been out of the workforce have taken jobs or started looking for one. The share of Americans aged 25 through 54 who are working or job-hunting is now above pre-pandemic levels.

Teen workers are in high demand for summer and commanding better pay

On Memorial Day, we honor America’s beloved daughters and sons who gave their last full measure of devotion to this Nation. &nbsp;We can never fully repay the debt we owe these fallen heroes, according to a statement on the White House web site.

"But today, we vow to rededicate ourselves to the work for which they gave their lives, and we recommit to supporting the families, caregivers, and survivors they left behind."

"For generations, stretching back to the formation of our country, these courageous people answered duty’s call, willing to give their lives for that which we all hold dear. &nbsp;They fought for our Independence.&nbsp; They defended our democracy. &nbsp;They sacrificed for our freedom.&nbsp; And today, as they lie in eternal peace, we continue to live by the light of liberty that they so bravely kept burning bright around the world."

"This is always a day where pain and pride are mixed together. &nbsp;To all those who are mourning the loss of a service member — including America’s Gold Star Families — we see you and grieve with you. &nbsp;And we know that on this day especially, the pain of their absence can feel overwhelming.&nbsp; But for so many of you, that pain is wrapped around the knowledge that your loved one was part of something bigger than any of us; that they chose a life of mission and purpose; and that they dared all, risked all, and gave all to preserve and defend an idea unlike any other in human history: &nbsp;the United States of America."

"These brave service members are not only the heart and soul of our country — they are the very spine. &nbsp;Today — and every day — we remember their service and ultimate sacrifice to our Nation.&nbsp; We reflect on our sacred and enduring vow to care for their families. &nbsp;And together, as we pause and pray, we pledge to continue defending freedom and democracy in their honor. &nbsp;May God bless our fallen heroes, and may God protect our troops."

" In honor and recognition of all of our fallen service members, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer and reflection.&nbsp; The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance."

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May&nbsp;29, 2023, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I&nbsp;designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of&nbsp;that day as a time when people might unite in prayer and reflection.&nbsp; I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance.&nbsp; I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day."

" I requested the Governors of the United States and its Commonwealths and 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. &nbsp;I encourage families, friends, and neighbors to post tributes to our fallen service members through the Veterans Legacy Memorial at vlm.cem.va.gov so that we may learn more about the lives and contributions of those buried in National, State, and Tribal veteran cemeteries.&nbsp; I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period."

"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two&nbsp;thousand&nbsp;twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United&nbsp;States of&nbsp;America the two&nbsp;hundred and forty-seventh."

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F231787449589530%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=5" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>On Memorial Day, we honor America’s beloved daughters and sons who gave their last full measure of devotion to this Nation. &nbsp;We can never fully repay the debt we owe these fallen heroes, according to a statement on the White House web site."But today, we vow to rededicate ourselves to the work for which they gave their lives, and we recommit to supporting the families, caregivers, and survivors they left behind.""For generations, stretching back to the formation of our country, these courageous people answered duty’s call, willing to give their lives for that which we all hold dear. &nbsp;They fought for our Independence.&nbsp; They defended our democracy. &nbsp;They sacrificed for our freedom.&nbsp; And today, as they lie in eternal peace, we continue to live by the light of liberty that they so bravely kept burning bright around the world.""This is always a day where pain and pride are mixed together. &nbsp;To all those who are mourning the loss of a service member — including America’s Gold Star Families — we see you and grieve with you. &nbsp;And we know that on this day especially, the pain of their absence can feel overwhelming.&nbsp; But for so many of you, that pain is wrapped around the knowledge that your loved one was part of something bigger than any of us; that they chose a life of mission and purpose; and that they dared all, risked all, and gave all to preserve and defend an idea unlike any other in human history: &nbsp;the United States of America.""These brave service members are not only the heart and soul of our country — they are the very spine. &nbsp;Today — and every day — we remember their service and ultimate sacrifice to our Nation.&nbsp; We reflect on our sacred and enduring vow to care for their families. &nbsp;And together, as we pause and pray, we pledge to continue defending freedom and democracy in their honor. &nbsp;May God bless our fallen heroes, and may God protect our troops."" In honor and recognition of all of our fallen service members, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer and reflection.&nbsp; The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.""NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May&nbsp;29, 2023, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I&nbsp;designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of&nbsp;that day as a time when people might unite in prayer and reflection.&nbsp; I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance.&nbsp; I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day."" I requested the Governors of the United States and its Commonwealths and 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. &nbsp;I encourage families, friends, and neighbors to post tributes to our fallen service members through the Veterans Legacy Memorial at vlm.cem.va.gov so that we may learn more about the lives and contributions of those buried in National, State, and Tribal veteran cemeteries.&nbsp; I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.""IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two&nbsp;thousand&nbsp;twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United&nbsp;States of&nbsp;America the two&nbsp;hundred and forty-seventh."

🎥President Biden offers a prayer for peace, Memorial Day, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — The details of the deal between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-deal-biden-mccarthy-default-01657c829be119850cd65ab9ffb0626a">were released Sunday</a>&nbsp;in the form of a 99-page bill that would suspend the nation's debt limit through 2025 to avoid a federal default while limiting government spending.

The Democratic president and Republican speaker are trying to win over lawmakers to the plan in time to avert a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-default-government-shutdown-explainer-b38474f210e519aeb3f48107ca2657ba">default that would shake the global economy</a>. But Congress will be scrutinizing and debating the legislation, which also includes provisions to fund medical care for veterans, change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-work-requirements-snap-medicaid-biden-66270829cfc0009ddb5f59eb12a6ba7a">work requirements</a>&nbsp;for some recipients of government aid and streamline environmental reviews for energy projects.

McCarthy said the House will vote on the legislation Wednesday, giving the Senate time to consider it before June 5, the date when Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the United States could default on its debt obligations if lawmakers did not act in time.

Some hardline conservatives have expressed early concerns that the compromise does not cut future deficits enough, while Democrats have been worried about proposed changes to work requirements in programs such as food stamps.

With the details of the deal now clear, here's what's in and out:

TWO-YEAR DEBT LIMIT SUSPENSION, SPENDING LIMITS

The agreement would keep nondefense spending roughly flat in the 2024 fiscal year and increase it by 1% the following year, as well as suspend the debt limit until January 2025 -- past the next presidential election.

For the next fiscal year, the bill matches Biden's proposed defense budget of $886 billion and allots $704 billion for nondefense spending.

The bill also requires Congress to approve 12 annual spending bills or face a snapback to spending limits from the previous year, which would mean a 1% cut.

The legislation aims to limit federal budget growth to 1% for the next six years, but that provision would not be enforceable starting in 2025.

Overall, the White House estimates that the plan would reduce government spending by at least $1 trillion, but official calculations have not yet been released.

The agreement would fully fund medical care for veterans at the levels included in Biden's proposed 2024 budget blueprint, including a fund dedicated to veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances or environmental hazards. Biden sought $20.3 billion for the toxic exposure fund in his budget.

The agreement would rescind about $30 billion in unspent coronavirus relief money that Congress approved through previous bills. It claws back unobligated money from dozens of federal programs that received aid during the pandemic, including rental assistance, small business loans and broadband for rural areas.

The legislation protects pandemic funding for veterans’ medical care, housing assistance, the Indian Health Service, and some $5 billion for a program focused on rapidly developing the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

Republicans targeted money that the IRS was allotted last year to crack down on tax fraud. The bill bites into some IRS funding, rescinding $1.4 billion.

The agreement would expand work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps — a longtime Republican priority. But the changes are pared down from the House-passed debt ceiling bill.

Work requirements already exist for most able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49. The bill would phase in higher age limits, bringing the maximum age to 54 by 2025. But the provision expires, bringing the maximum age back down to age 49 five years later, in 2030.

Democrats also won some new expanded benefits for veterans, homeless people and young people aging out of foster care. That would also expire in 2030, according to the agreement.

The agreement would also make it slightly harder for states to waive work requirements for SNAP for certain individuals. Current law allows states to issue some exemptions to the work rules on a discretionary basis, but limits how many people can be exempted. The agreement would lower the number of exemptions that a state can issue and curb states’ ability to carry over the number of exemptions they can hand out from month to month.

The agreement would also make changes to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, which gives cash aid to families with children. While not going as far as the House bill had proposed, the deal would make adjustments to a credit that allows states to require fewer recipients to work, updating and readjusting the credit to make it harder for states to avoid.

The deal puts in place changes in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/nepa">National Environmental Policy Act</a>&nbsp;for the first time in nearly four decades that would designate “a single lead agency” to develop and schedule environmental reviews, in hopes of streamlining the process. It also simplifies some of the requirements for environmental reviews, including placing length limitations on environmental assessments and impact statements.

Agencies will be given one year to complete environmental reviews, and projects that are deemed to have complex impacts on the environment will need to be reviewed within two years.

The bill also gives special treatment to the Mountain Valley Pipeline — a West Virginia natural gas pipeline championed by Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito — by approving all its outstanding permit requests.

Republicans have long sought to reel back the Biden administration's efforts to provide student loan relief and aid to millions of borrowers during the coronavirus pandemic. While the GOP proposal to rescind the White House's plan to waive $10,000 to $20,000 in debt for nearly all borrowers failed to make it into the package, Biden agreed to put an end to the pause on student loan repayment.

The pause in student loan repayments would end in the final days of August.

The fate of student loan relief, meanwhile, will be decided at the Supreme Court, which is dominated 6-3 by its conservative wing. During oral arguments in the case, several of the justices expressed deep skepticism about the legality of Biden’s plan. A decision is expected before the end of June.

House Republicans passed legislation last month that would have created new work requirements for some Medicaid recipients, but that was left out of the final agreement. The idea faced stiff opposition from the White House and congressional Democrats, who said it would lead to fewer people able to afford food or health care without actually increasing the number of people in the workforce.

Also absent from the final deal is the GOP proposal to repeal many of the clean energy tax credits Democrats passed in party-line votes last year to boost the production and consumption of clean energy. McCarthy and Republicans have argued that the tax breaks “distort the market and waste taxpayer money.”

The White House has defended the tax credits as resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars in private-sector investments, creating thousands of manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685304077425.png" alt="House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with reporters Saturday night -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with reporters Saturday night -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The details of the deal between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-deal-biden-mccarthy-default-01657c829be119850cd65ab9ffb0626a">were released Sunday</a>&nbsp;in the form of a 99-page bill that would suspend the nation's debt limit through 2025 to avoid a federal default while limiting government spending.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1622964124879321%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=9" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The Democratic president and Republican speaker are trying to win over lawmakers to the plan in time to avert a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-default-government-shutdown-explainer-b38474f210e519aeb3f48107ca2657ba">default that would shake the global economy</a>. But Congress will be scrutinizing and debating the legislation, which also includes provisions to fund medical care for veterans, change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-work-requirements-snap-medicaid-biden-66270829cfc0009ddb5f59eb12a6ba7a">work requirements</a>&nbsp;for some recipients of government aid and streamline environmental reviews for energy projects.McCarthy said the House will vote on the legislation Wednesday, giving the Senate time to consider it before June 5, the date when Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the United States could default on its debt obligations if lawmakers did not act in time.Some hardline conservatives have expressed early concerns that the compromise does not cut future deficits enough, while Democrats have been worried about proposed changes to work requirements in programs such as food stamps.With the details of the deal now clear, here's what's in and out:TWO-YEAR DEBT LIMIT SUSPENSION, SPENDING LIMITSThe agreement would keep nondefense spending roughly flat in the 2024 fiscal year and increase it by 1% the following year, as well as suspend the debt limit until January 2025 -- past the next presidential election.For the next fiscal year, the bill matches Biden's proposed defense budget of $886 billion and allots $704 billion for nondefense spending.The bill also requires Congress to approve 12 annual spending bills or face a snapback to spending limits from the previous year, which would mean a 1% cut.The legislation aims to limit federal budget growth to 1% for the next six years, but that provision would not be enforceable starting in 2025.Overall, the White House estimates that the plan would reduce government spending by at least $1 trillion, but official calculations have not yet been released.VETERANS CAREThe agreement would fully fund medical care for veterans at the levels included in Biden's proposed 2024 budget blueprint, including a fund dedicated to veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances or environmental hazards. Biden sought $20.3 billion for the toxic exposure fund in his budget.UNSPENT COVID MONEYThe agreement would rescind about $30 billion in unspent coronavirus relief money that Congress approved through previous bills. It claws back unobligated money from dozens of federal programs that received aid during the pandemic, including rental assistance, small business loans and broadband for rural areas.The legislation protects pandemic funding for veterans’ medical care, housing assistance, the Indian Health Service, and some $5 billion for a program focused on rapidly developing the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.IRS FUNDINGRepublicans targeted money that the IRS was allotted last year to crack down on tax fraud. The bill bites into some IRS funding, rescinding $1.4 billion.WORK REQUIREMENTSThe agreement would expand work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps — a longtime Republican priority. But the changes are pared down from the House-passed debt ceiling bill.Work requirements already exist for most able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49. The bill would phase in higher age limits, bringing the maximum age to 54 by 2025. But the provision expires, bringing the maximum age back down to age 49 five years later, in 2030.Democrats also won some new expanded benefits for veterans, homeless people and young people aging out of foster care. That would also expire in 2030, according to the agreement.The agreement would also make it slightly harder for states to waive work requirements for SNAP for certain individuals. Current law allows states to issue some exemptions to the work rules on a discretionary basis, but limits how many people can be exempted. The agreement would lower the number of exemptions that a state can issue and curb states’ ability to carry over the number of exemptions they can hand out from month to month.The agreement would also make changes to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, which gives cash aid to families with children. While not going as far as the House bill had proposed, the deal would make adjustments to a credit that allows states to require fewer recipients to work, updating and readjusting the credit to make it harder for states to avoid.SPEEDING UP ENERGY PROJECTSThe deal puts in place changes in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/nepa">National Environmental Policy Act</a>&nbsp;for the first time in nearly four decades that would designate “a single lead agency” to develop and schedule environmental reviews, in hopes of streamlining the process. It also simplifies some of the requirements for environmental reviews, including placing length limitations on environmental assessments and impact statements.Agencies will be given one year to complete environmental reviews, and projects that are deemed to have complex impacts on the environment will need to be reviewed within two years.The bill also gives special treatment to the Mountain Valley Pipeline — a West Virginia natural gas pipeline championed by Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito — by approving all its outstanding permit requests.STUDENT LOANSRepublicans have long sought to reel back the Biden administration's efforts to provide student loan relief and aid to millions of borrowers during the coronavirus pandemic. While the GOP proposal to rescind the White House's plan to waive $10,000 to $20,000 in debt for nearly all borrowers failed to make it into the package, Biden agreed to put an end to the pause on student loan repayment.The pause in student loan repayments would end in the final days of August.The fate of student loan relief, meanwhile, will be decided at the Supreme Court, which is dominated 6-3 by its conservative wing. During oral arguments in the case, several of the justices expressed deep skepticism about the legality of Biden’s plan. A decision is expected before the end of June.WHAT'S LEFT OUTHouse Republicans passed legislation last month that would have created new work requirements for some Medicaid recipients, but that was left out of the final agreement. The idea faced stiff opposition from the White House and congressional Democrats, who said it would lead to fewer people able to afford food or health care without actually increasing the number of people in the workforce.Also absent from the final deal is the GOP proposal to repeal many of the clean energy tax credits Democrats passed in party-line votes last year to boost the production and consumption of clean energy. McCarthy and Republicans have argued that the tax breaks “distort the market and waste taxpayer money.”The White House has defended the tax credits as resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars in private-sector investments, creating thousands of manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

🎥Debt ceiling deal: What's in the controversial agreement 

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Memorial Day is supposed to be about mourning the nation’s fallen service members, but it’s come to anchor the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of discounts on anything from mattresses to lawn mowers.

Auto club AAA said in a travel forecast that this holiday weekend could be “one for the record books, especially at airports,” with more than 42 million Americans projected to travel 50 miles (80 kilometers) or more.

But for Manuel Castañeda Jr., 58, the day will be a quiet one in Durand, Illinois, outside Rockford. He lost his father, a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, in an accident in California while training other Marines in 1966.

“Memorial Day is very personal,” said Castañeda, who also served in the Marines and Army National Guard, from which he knew men who died in combat. “It isn’t just the specials. It isn’t just the barbecue.”

But he tries not to judge others who spend the holiday differently: “How can I expect them to understand the depth of what I feel when they haven’t experienced anything like that?”

WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL PURPOSE OF MEMORIAL DAY?

It’s a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military, according to the Congressional Research Service. The holiday is observed in part by the National Moment of Remembrance, which encourages all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. for a moment of silence.

The holiday stems from the American Civil War, which killed more than 600,000 service members — both Union and Confederate — between 1861 and 1865.

There’s little controversy over the first national observance of what was then called Decoration Day. It occurred May 30, 1868, after an organization of Union veterans called for decorating war graves with flowers, which were in bloom.

The practice was already widespread on a local level. Waterloo, New York, began a formal observance on May 5, 1866, and was later proclaimed to be the holiday's birthplace.

Yet Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, traced its first observance to October 1864, according to the Library of Congress. And women in some Confederate states were decorating graves before the war’s end.

But David Blight, a Yale history professor, points to May 1, 1865, when as many as 10,000 people, many of them Black, held a parade, heard speeches and dedicated the graves of Union dead in Charleston, South Carolina.

A total of 267 Union troops had died at a Confederate prison and were buried in a mass grave. After the war, members of Black churches buried them in individual graves.

“What happened in Charleston does have the right to claim to be first, if that matters,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theitem.com/stories/charleston-can-lay-claim-to-1st-memorial-day,59042?">Blight told The Associated Press in 2011</a>.

In 2021, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel cited the story in a Memorial Day speech in Hudson, Ohio. The ceremony’s organizers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sc-state-wire-lifestyle-memorial-day-race-and-ethnicity-f649e76fd5ae6140d501ac9dc0cac380">turned off his microphone</a>&nbsp;because they said it wasn’t relevant to honoring the city’s veterans.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-memorial-day-race-and-ethnicity-fea889be51b01a8b4c8f31480a21af79">The event’s organizers later resigned</a>.

HAS MEMORIAL DAY ALWAYS BEEN A SOURCE OF CONTENTION?

Someone has always lamented the holiday’s drift from its original meaning.

As early as 1869, The New York Times wrote that the holiday could become “sacrilegious” and no longer “sacred” if it focuses more on pomp, dinners and oratory.

In 1871, abolitionist Frederick Douglass feared Americans were forgetting the Civil War’s impetus — slavery — when he gave a Decoration Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery.

“We must never forget that the loyal soldiers who rest beneath this sod flung themselves between the nation and the nation’s destroyers,” Douglass said.

His concerns were well-founded, said Ben Railton, a professor of English and American studies at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. Even though roughly 180,000 Black men served in the Union Army, the holiday in many communities would essentially become “white Memorial Day,” especially after the rise of the Jim Crow South, Railton said.

Meanwhile, how the day was spent — at least by the nation’s elected officials — could draw scrutiny for years after the Civil War. In the 1880s, then-President Grover Cleveland was said to have gone fishing — and “people were appalled,” said Matthew Dennis, an emeritus history professor at the University of Oregon.

By 1911, the Indianapolis 500 held its inaugural race on May 30, drawing 85,000 spectators.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4c4507a3b0a8412d9c035cf59059f159">A report from The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;made no mention of the holiday — or any controversy.

Dennis said Memorial Day's potency diminished somewhat with the addition of Armistice Day, which marked World War I's end on Nov. 11, 1918. Armistice Day became a national holiday by 1938 and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

An act of Congress changed Memorial Day from every May 30th to the last Monday in May in 1971. Veterans objected: “They didn’t want to be just some random Monday that people could forget about,” Dennis said.

In 1972, Time Magazine said the holiday had become “a three-day nationwide hootenanny that seems to have lost much of its original purpose.”

WHY IS MEMORIAL DAY TIED TO SALES AND TRAVEL?

Even in the 19th century, grave ceremonies were followed by leisure activities such as picnicking and foot races, Dennis said.

The holiday also evolved alongside baseball and the automobile, the five-day work week and summer vacation, according to the 2002 book, “A History of Memorial Day: Unity, Discord and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

In the mid-20th century, a small number of businesses began to open defiantly on the holiday.

Once the holiday moved to Monday, “the traditional barriers against doing business began to crumble,” authors Richard Harmond and Thomas Curran wrote.

These days, Memorial Day sales and traveling are deeply woven into the nation's muscle memory. This weekend, 2.7 million more people will travel for the unofficial start of summer compared to last year — despite inflation, according to AAA.

Jason Redman, 48, a retired Navy SEAL who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he'll be thinking of friends he's lost. Thirty names are tattooed on his arm “for every guy that I personally knew that died.”

He wants Americans to remember the fallen — but also to enjoy themselves, knowing lives were sacrificed to forge the holiday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623850361599.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Memorial Day is supposed to be about mourning the nation’s fallen service members, but it’s come to anchor the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of discounts on anything from mattresses to lawn mowers.Auto club AAA said in a travel forecast that this holiday weekend could be “one for the record books, especially at airports,” with more than 42 million Americans projected to travel 50 miles (80 kilometers) or more.But for Manuel Castañeda Jr., 58, the day will be a quiet one in Durand, Illinois, outside Rockford. He lost his father, a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, in an accident in California while training other Marines in 1966.“Memorial Day is very personal,” said Castañeda, who also served in the Marines and Army National Guard, from which he knew men who died in combat. “It isn’t just the specials. It isn’t just the barbecue.”But he tries not to judge others who spend the holiday differently: “How can I expect them to understand the depth of what I feel when they haven’t experienced anything like that?”WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL PURPOSE OF MEMORIAL DAY?It’s a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military, according to the Congressional Research Service. The holiday is observed in part by the National Moment of Remembrance, which encourages all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. for a moment of silence.WHAT ARE THE HOLIDAY'S ORIGINS?The holiday stems from the American Civil War, which killed more than 600,000 service members — both Union and Confederate — between 1861 and 1865.There’s little controversy over the first national observance of what was then called Decoration Day. It occurred May 30, 1868, after an organization of Union veterans called for decorating war graves with flowers, which were in bloom.The practice was already widespread on a local level. Waterloo, New York, began a formal observance on May 5, 1866, and was later proclaimed to be the holiday's birthplace.Yet Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, traced its first observance to October 1864, according to the Library of Congress. And women in some Confederate states were decorating graves before the war’s end.But David Blight, a Yale history professor, points to May 1, 1865, when as many as 10,000 people, many of them Black, held a parade, heard speeches and dedicated the graves of Union dead in Charleston, South Carolina.A total of 267 Union troops had died at a Confederate prison and were buried in a mass grave. After the war, members of Black churches buried them in individual graves.“What happened in Charleston does have the right to claim to be first, if that matters,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theitem.com/stories/charleston-can-lay-claim-to-1st-memorial-day,59042?">Blight told The Associated Press in 2011</a>.In 2021, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel cited the story in a Memorial Day speech in Hudson, Ohio. The ceremony’s organizers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sc-state-wire-lifestyle-memorial-day-race-and-ethnicity-f649e76fd5ae6140d501ac9dc0cac380">turned off his microphone</a>&nbsp;because they said it wasn’t relevant to honoring the city’s veterans.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-memorial-day-race-and-ethnicity-fea889be51b01a8b4c8f31480a21af79">The event’s organizers later resigned</a>.HAS MEMORIAL DAY ALWAYS BEEN A SOURCE OF CONTENTION?Someone has always lamented the holiday’s drift from its original meaning.As early as 1869, The New York Times wrote that the holiday could become “sacrilegious” and no longer “sacred” if it focuses more on pomp, dinners and oratory.In 1871, abolitionist Frederick Douglass feared Americans were forgetting the Civil War’s impetus — slavery — when he gave a Decoration Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery.“We must never forget that the loyal soldiers who rest beneath this sod flung themselves between the nation and the nation’s destroyers,” Douglass said.His concerns were well-founded, said Ben Railton, a professor of English and American studies at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. Even though roughly 180,000 Black men served in the Union Army, the holiday in many communities would essentially become “white Memorial Day,” especially after the rise of the Jim Crow South, Railton said.Meanwhile, how the day was spent — at least by the nation’s elected officials — could draw scrutiny for years after the Civil War. In the 1880s, then-President Grover Cleveland was said to have gone fishing — and “people were appalled,” said Matthew Dennis, an emeritus history professor at the University of Oregon.By 1911, the Indianapolis 500 held its inaugural race on May 30, drawing 85,000 spectators.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4c4507a3b0a8412d9c035cf59059f159">A report from The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;made no mention of the holiday — or any controversy.HOW HAS MEMORIAL DAY CHANGED?Dennis said Memorial Day's potency diminished somewhat with the addition of Armistice Day, which marked World War I's end on Nov. 11, 1918. Armistice Day became a national holiday by 1938 and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.An act of Congress changed Memorial Day from every May 30th to the last Monday in May in 1971. Veterans objected: “They didn’t want to be just some random Monday that people could forget about,” Dennis said.In 1972, Time Magazine said the holiday had become “a three-day nationwide hootenanny that seems to have lost much of its original purpose.”WHY IS MEMORIAL DAY TIED TO SALES AND TRAVEL?Even in the 19th century, grave ceremonies were followed by leisure activities such as picnicking and foot races, Dennis said.The holiday also evolved alongside baseball and the automobile, the five-day work week and summer vacation, according to the 2002 book, “A History of Memorial Day: Unity, Discord and the Pursuit of Happiness.”In the mid-20th century, a small number of businesses began to open defiantly on the holiday.Once the holiday moved to Monday, “the traditional barriers against doing business began to crumble,” authors Richard Harmond and Thomas Curran wrote.These days, Memorial Day sales and traveling are deeply woven into the nation's muscle memory. This weekend, 2.7 million more people will travel for the unofficial start of summer compared to last year — despite inflation, according to AAA.Jason Redman, 48, a retired Navy SEAL who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he'll be thinking of friends he's lost. Thirty names are tattooed on his arm “for every guy that I personally knew that died.”He wants Americans to remember the fallen — but also to enjoy themselves, knowing lives were sacrificed to forge the holiday.