A history lesson on Memorial Day's Southern roots

Friendship Cemertery's memorial to both Confederate and Union soldiers. On Monday, May 30, our country will be caught up in hot dogs and hamburgers and picnics — all things distinctly American as we enjoy one of those Congressionally mandated three-day weekends. But while we party, we should stop and pause and say a prayer of thanks for those men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is a time when we honor our fallen ... all of whom were fathers and sons and brothers and mothers and daughters and sisters to someone. It's an observance that had its beginnings in Columbus, Miss. Back after the War Between the States, a group of mothers and wives and daughters had gone to Friendship Cemetery to remember their loved ones who had fallen in the great conflict. As the story is told, the women noticed a group of graves in a corner of the cemetery and went to see who was buried there. It was soldiers of the Union Army. You see, both Confederate and Union soldiers who died in the 1862 Battle of Shiloh are buried in Columbus' Friendship Cemetery. The women are said to have expressed concern that someone would have died so far from home, wondering what their loved ones might be thinking. They knew that if their loved ones had fallen far from home, they would want someone to remember them. On April 25, 1866 the ladies of Columbus decided to decorate both Confederate and Union soldiers' graves with garlands and bouquets of beautiful flowers. Friendship Cemetery has been called "Where Flowers Healed A Nation."  And, although other communities in the nation, some by Congressional proclamation, are said to be the birthplace of our Memorial Day, the truth is that it began in Columbus. On Memorial Day, take the time to give thanks for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. At 3 p.m., Americans around the world are asked to pause and say a prayer for peace as part of the National Moment of Remembrance. It's not really a lot to ask, is it? To take a few minutes away from hot dogs and hamburgers and fun and frolic to remember those who died so you would have the opportunity to take the day off? To speak your mind? To worship without reprisal? Remember to fly your flag and never forget that freedom is anything but free.

Water falling in Yazoo County

According to the U.S. army corps of Engineers (USACE) website, the Yazoo River is beginning to recede slowly.

Robert Simrall, chief of water control for USACE in Vicksburg and one of our sources for flood projections, said the river has dropped about six inches since cresting on Saturday at 38.4 feet.


Simrall said water is still rising on the backwater side of the Yazoo Backwater Levee south of Rolling Fork. Simrall said it will probably be June 20 before the Mississippi River drops enough to allow for opening of the flood gate to release  the backwater flooding.

As soon as possible, we will get an update from Harold Harton and our EYES on Wolf Lake to bring you up to speed.

Flood update from downriver - river reopened to traffic

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in New Orleans announced about 10 a.m. (CDT) that 16 gates have been opened at the Morganza Spillway  flood control structure. A flow of 108,000 cubic feet per second  is now being diverted from the main channel of the Mississippi River.

There are 125 gates at Morganza and the Corps expects to eventually open between 30 and 35 of them.

The flooding being created by the spillway's opening on Saturday has been slowed by the extreme drought conditions plaguing that part of the state./ The New Orleans District of the corps announced 16 gates have been opened at the Morganza spillway, moving water through the structure at an estimated 108,000 cubic feet per second.   Morganza has 125 total gates.   The corps began opening them slowly on Saturday.

About 115 river miles to the south, 330 of the 350 gates at the Bonnet Carre' Spillway are open at Norco, diverting water from the river into Lake Pontchartarin in an effort to keep the levees from being overtopped in the Crescent City.

USACE also announced earlier today that it was opening the Mississiippi to traffic north of New Orleans. On Tuesday, the Corps had closed the river at Natchez.

Updated photos from Wolf Lake and Good Hope Community are here

As promised, here are "current" photos from Wolf Lake and Good Hope communities ... there are six.


Also, here is an update from Harold Horton (from Monday) on the situation:

1.  Water can be seen directly in front of Dad's (Guy Horton's) house.  About 300 yards away.

2.  Water can be seen back at the wood's behind Mrs. Bell's.

3.  Water now covers the bridge at Shake on the Lake and likes 2 to 3 inches going in Shake on the Lake.  Water is over the road just past the bridge going toward Yazoo City from Good Hope Community.

4.  Water covers the road just past Club 21 going toward's Guy Horton's house.

5.  Carter Road is covered with water and the road is blocked  toward Good Hope Community. Water is going over the road at the end of Wolf Lake.

6.  Water is coming up the ditch beside the old Dubois house.

7.  Water is over the road going toward Lake City/Deerfield.

8.  Water is over the road at the Airport and water is up to the edge of Terry Horton's house.  Water is also on the runways at the Yazoo County airport.

Harold said, "Three days to go prior to the crest at Vickburg.  Can we make it?"

Carter to the left, Wolf Lake to the right
and water on all sides.

Turn around, please

Water lapping at Mrs. Bell's property

With all the water, the road
takes on a causeway-type look

Carter Road

Water creeps out of the woods onto the
road, like a thief in the night