Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 6-2-22 E-Edition

Thursday, June 2, 2022
Memorial Day ceremony held at Reedley cemetery
The View From Here
I recog- nized her as soon as she walked into
our office. Susan Lusk came in on the af- ternoon of May 31 to
drop off some paperwork. I told her I really appre- ciated her speech during this year's Memorial Day ceremony at the Reedley Cemetery. It was held one day earlier on May 30.
"Thank you," she re- plied.
Susan had been one of the guest speakers at the ceremony. She told me she usually speaks at the event. She speaks to honor fallen soldiers who have died while in combat and also to honor the memory of her son; Army Capt. Joe F. Lusk II.
The Memorial Day Ceremony is a an event I've attended for several years now. It's a way to re- member our military per- sonnel who have paid the ultimate price.
Garden Checklist
Contributed
Now is the time to enjoy the balmy June evenings with a poolside barbecue, homemade ice cream and out door dining.
Tasks for this time of year include keeping a water schedule and make sure it conforms to the lo- cal watering guidelines. Don’t forget to check sprinkler timer settings at least once a month.
Water citrus and be careful not to over water it. Continuously wet soil in the upper few inches can result in root rot.
If severe drought re- strictions are in place, con- centrate on keeping your trees watered.
Also, when pruning re- member that fire blight is best pruned out in win- ter but if the infection is spreading rapidly in a pear or apple tree during the the growing season, prune out the infected growth as soon as it appears.
Prune blackberries, raspberries and other caneberries after harvest. Also, when it comes to fer- tilizing, right now is the time to fertilize almonds, apples, peaches, nectarines and plums.
Prepared by Judy Park- er, Master Gardener UCCE Fresno County.
Juanita Adame
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Susan Lusk, whose son Army Capt. Joe Fenton Lusk II was killed in a military helicopter crash in Kuwait back in 2005 stepped up to the podium during the ceremony.
rifice even if that sacrifice is one’s own life.”
SeanFedor, thecommand- er at Reedley’s American Le- gion Post 35, was also among this years speakers.
“I would like to explain what the flags you see all around this cemetery symbol- ize,” Fedor said. “The over 770 flags that are currently flying, have all been presented to the next of kin to all the service members.”
“Restore, maintain, repair and display these flags in the exact same location year af- ter year,” he continued. “All of this is done at our cost, as a symbol for us to remember what it costs to earn that flag, we respect, salute and honor what has been entrusted to us, I would like to thank the many volunteers that helped us in this vital endeavor.”
In all, nearly 100 people at- tended this year's Memorial Day ceremony.
The ceremony also includ- ed a gun salute and playing of Taps.
“The over 770 flags that are currently flying, all have been presented to the next of kin of service members.”
Sean Fedor, American Legion Post 35
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Lorie Ensz attends the Memori- al Day ceremony at the Reedley Cemetery every year.
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Reedley's annual Memorial Day ceremony was held on May 30 at the Veteran’s Area inside the Reedley Cemetery.
The event featured sever- al speakers including Susan Lusk, a Reedley native whose son was killed in 2005.
“It seems like I say the same thing every year," said Lusk. "However, it bears re- peating, the Martinez fam- ily, the Lusk family and other families here today, we know where our children are- we know where they are buried, we know where our family members are- but many peo- ple don’t, and I can’t imagine being in that situation so I pray for all of them today.”
Lusk's late son , Army Capt. Joe F. Lusk II was on- ly 25 years old when he was
killed in a non-combat related accident.
According to the fallenhe- roesmemorial.com website, Lusk was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and assigned to the 3rd Battalion and 3rd Aviation Regiment.
He was killed in a helicop- ter training accident on Jan. 21, 2005 while in Kuwait.
The Army Captain is bur- ied at the Reedley Cemetery.
The guest speaker for this year's Memorial Day ceremo- ny was Rory Huerta.
“The cemetery looks abso- lutely beautiful today,” Huer- ta told the crowd during his speech.
“The reason behind choos- ing Military service, differs from person to person but as varied as the reasons are, there’s a universal under- standing, service means sac-
Talent show brings music to Alta Elementary in Reedley
Photo of the Week
Photo Contributed
Students at Alta Elementary School in Reedley performed sev- eral dance routines and skits during their annual talent show on May 31. Students performed variety of acts including comedy, gymnastics, tap dancing, ribbon dancing, line dancing, singing, directed art, skits, and original story telling. The show was shared with parents via Zoom.
This photo of three Reedley sisters celebrating their graduations from various universities and colleges was sent in by Hortencia Santos. Congratulations ladies! From left, Priscilla who from Reed- ley College with an AS degree in Business Administration, Horten- cia from Cal Poly Pomona with a Masters in Public Administration and Amber with an AS degree in Mathematics Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@midvalleypublishing.com.
Contributed