Nance: Memorial Day Reflections, Road Work This Summer

"We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies."
–Moina Michael, 1915

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

After World War I the holiday was changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war.

It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971). I will have the honor to speak at two Ray County cemeteries for the Richmond VFW on Memorial Day.  There will also be a ceremony at the Clay/Ray Vets Club in Excelsior Springs. Both events start at 10 am. Have a safe week end.

In the District:

Road Work Scheduled for Ray County 2010:

Road Projects

• Route D: Pavement treatment from eastern Lawson City Limits to Route C in Ray County
• Route Y: Pavement treatment from beginning of state maintenance to MO Route 10
• Route O: Pavement treatment from MO Route 10 to MO Route 210
• Route B: Chip seal from Route K to MO Route 13
• Route C: Chip seal from beginning of state maintenance to Route M

Safe & Sound

• MO Route 10: Rehabilitation of Bridge G0950 over Fishing River east of Route Y
• Route A: Replacement of bridge S0005 over drainage ditch north of MO Route 10
• Route B: Replacement of bridge X0771 over Cottonwood Creek east of MO 13
• Route E: Replacement of bridge N0298 over south Mud Creek north of Route PP
• Route K: Replacement of bridge P0793 over Crooked River south of Route B
• MO Route A: Replacement of bridge S0487 over Crabapple Creek near Route K
• MO Route T: Replacement of bridge S0699 over Rollins Creek near MO Route 210

ARRA

• MO Route 13: Pavement treatment from Route 10 in Richmond to the Caldwell County line

Bridge work of note in Clay County:

• Route:  MO 10 at US 69
  Bridge No.:  L0535
  Construction Start: Summer 2010
  Scheduled for May 2010 letting.
  Daily traffic volume: 8735
• Route: Route N at Fishing River
  Bridge No.:  K0648
  Construction Start: Late June, 2010
  Days closed: 54
  Daily traffic volume: 998

Additional Programmed Construction Projects on Various Routes

• Asphalt repair at various locations
• Concrete repair at various locations
• Add rumble strips on various rural major routes

I had the opportunity to present end of session updates to the Excelsior Springs Rotary Club on May 18^th and to the Clay County Economic Development Council on May 25, 2010.