Memorial Day is coming up and several people around Lane are getting new flags to fly for the holiday. Memorial Day is a federal holiday held the last Monday in May, which falls on May 26th this year.
It is the annual day to honor and remember the men and women who died while serving in our military. This is a time to visit cemeteries and memorials to remember the loss of fallen service members, but also take time to appreciate their sacrifice and the freedoms they fought to protect. Most people also decorate family graves at this time.
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, but, was changed in 1868 to “Memorial Day” by an organization called the Grand Army of the Republic. This was an organization of veterans of the Union Army, Navy, and Marines who served in the American Civil War. They used their position to make the Grand Army of the Republic a powerful political force and to promote the cause of Union veterans' rights.
Usually, the flag is flown at half-staff only during national mourning periods, such as the death of a government official, military member, emergency first responder, or a national tragedy. However, if you are flying the US flag this Memorial Day the rules are a bit different. The American flag is flown at half-mast only until noon. Then, it is raised to full mast for the rest of the day. This is meant to honor those who have died for their country by using the lowered flag during the morning hours to mark the 'invisible flag of death' above as a sign of our mourning. Then, the flag is raised to full staff in the afternoon to symbolize the continuation of our nation after the Civil War.
I saw an advertisement this week that said, “Memorial Day is the Perfect Holiday to Rock Your Custom American Flag Shirt” and I also saw U.S. flag curtains and lots of bedding. I was almost sure it is not appropriate to wear a flag shirt or use it for other everyday household products. So, I looked it up. The information I found says that the flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery and that no part of the flag should ever be used as clothing or an athletic uniform.
However, a flag patch may be worn on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. However, a lapel flag pin may be used for a person wanting to show their patriotism. The lapel flag pin should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
Remember all of the graduations coming up. Lane Kindergarten graduation will be May 15th at 10:00 a.m. and Eighth grade graduation will be that evening at 6:00 p.m. on the 15th of May. High School Graduation schedules: Stringtown - May 12th, Atoka - May 23rd, Tushka May 13th, Caney – May 15th. Cheers for your hard work graduates, this is a time to celebrate. You've reached a significant milestone in your life; keep going, Lane is proud of you all.
A family member here at Lane was recently trying to locate an old septic tank on some family land which led to the discussion of whether you need a permit to install a septic tank in an unincorporated community like Lane or in a rural area. To the No Bunch… the Yes Bunch were right. We found that there are new laws and regulations governing the installation of septic tanks in rural and unincorporated areas. These laws protect our water used in wells from contamination. So, all new septic systems in a property, including the installation of an additional system, need to have a permit before it can proceed. And, any modifications of an existing system that is no longer working properly also need a permit before you start work.
In Atoka County, permits for septic system installation are issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). You can obtain the necessary permits by visiting the DEQ website or contacting a DEQ office. The DEQ website also provides online resources for applications and contact information for local offices. The nearest DEQ office to Lane is in Durant at 202 N. 16th St. The phone numbers listed on their site are 572-206-9498 and 572-206-9503.
If you have a contractor installing the septic system, that person will usually handle the permit application process on your behalf. If you are doing this yourself, you can apply for a permit online at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) website and scroll to “Septic Tank (On Site Sewage Records) You can either apply for a permit online or contact your nearest DEQ office for assistance. Main DEQ phone numbers are 405-702-0100 or Fax: 405-702-7102 The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service located on the lower floor of the County Court House, across the hall from the Election Board Office, has a Fact Sheet giving basic step to install a septic system. (Extension fact sheets PSS-2914)…These are also available on their website at: http://facts.okstate.edu .
You will also need to obtain a percolation test, or perc test. This is a procedure used to assess how quickly water drains through the soil where your system will be installed. To obtain a perc test for a new septic system in Atoka County, you will need to contact the Atoka County Health Department or a certified soil profiler. They can perform the test to determine if the soil can adequately absorb wastewater for a septic system. It's most common for the homeowner to pay for a septic inspection.
Join the folks at the Boheler/ Crystal Community Center each Friday for their weekly meal. The doors are open at 9:00 a.m. and they eat at noon… then, they are open until everyone goes home. Director, Janis Isbell, says that there is no charge for the meal, there is just a donation jar. If you cannot pay, the meal is free. The address is 15872 South, OK-109 A, Boswell, OK. It is a far peace down 109-A so keep going to find it.
The Blessing Closet, sponsored by Church of the Rock, will be open from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 7th. They are open on the first Saturday of each month unless announced for a different date. You will find clothes from babies to adults, as well as shoes, a few household goods, and other donated items. Everything is FREE. The Blessing Closet is at the Old Coben’s Store, now Justin Humphrey’s red office building, at the corner of Highway 3 and Iron Stob Road.
Iron Stob Pentecostal Church is still looking for a pastor. They request that if anyone knows someone looking for a church to give them their name. They are holding regular weekly services at the church located at 893 S Iron Stob Road in Lane.
331 Lane Baptist Church had a ground breaking for their new Lane Baptist Church sign. Everyone is watching to see the progress of the sign to inform us all about the goingson at the Church.
Pastor Phil Barton says they are preparing for Children’s Bible School which will be coming up soon. If you would like to volunteer to work in Bible School or help in any way, you can call 918 652-5052.
Church of the Rock will host Dale Tarp (Josh Brecheen’s father–in–law) on this coming Sunday, May 18. Morning Worship Service begins at 11:00 a.m. Dale will preach Morning Service beginning at 11:30. You can catch Church of the Rock on Facebook each Sunday morning and Wednesday evenings.
Youth Director, Rebecca Smith, is getting ready for Summer Youth Camp and looking for volunteers to help with food preparation, directing games and activities, helping with teaching activities, etc. If you would like to volunteer call 580-364-3595 or speak to Rebecca at church.
Regular Sunday services at Church of the Rock begins with Ladies Bible Study at 10:00 p.m., Worship Service at 11:00 a.m., Preaching and Children’s Sunday School at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday evening services are at 7:00 p.m. and Men’s Fellowship is Mondays at 7:00 p.m. then Women’s Prayer on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Church of the Rock is located on the north side of Highway 3 in Lane just across from the Dollar Store. Church of the Rock - 11273 E. Highway 3 Lane, OK 74555 Lane Church of Christ states that “we are dedicated to the teachings of Christ and to serving Him.” We would be happy to welcome you to worship with us on Sunday morning at 10 a.m., Sunday evening at 6 p.m., and Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. Lane Church of Christ is located off of Highway 3 on W. McGee Creek Road, just before Lane School.
Pastor Glen Cook invites everyone to join the church family at Crystal Baptist Church located at 12010 S. Hwy 109A in Crystal … yep, that’s downtown Crystal folks. With a focus on faith and fellowship, the church offers regular worship services, prayer meetings, and opportunities for personal growth and reflection.
Thelma’s Thought for the Day: “The world's favorite season is spring. All things seem possible in May,' Edwin Way Teale.
