Memorial Day officially was observed Monday with flags all over the business district. But today, May 30, our ancestors first decorated the graves of American soldiers after the Civil War. Now, 140 years and at least 10 wars later, we honor hundreds of thousands of our military servants.

Many local churches feature photos on bulletin boards of today’s soldiers, as prayers are offered.

Unexpectedly, a family with two soldiers in Iraq brushed mine briefly as I bought Rice Krispies cookies in an Eastside grocery store. The checker offered this tip:

“You can easily throw some marshmallows and butter in a bowl, microwave and add the cereal and have the squares in the mail within a half hour,” she said. Her family does this at least once a month for her two boys who recently re-enlisted for the third time. Mom’s going all-out to support them.

She told me how well the treats traveled and how her boys loved them with added peanut butter or melted chocolate. She said they were proud soldiers, who were modeling after their brave uncle who had been a Marine. Heroes, all of them, she said, unable to hold back the tears. She’s forever conscious of the 3,500 U.S. casualties of our four-year involvement — 70 of them from Washington state.

War also has become the backdrop for a new generation of kids. Four of the 50 teens who entered the recent poetry contest at the library chose war as their subject. One of them, Stephanie Carl, had this to say:

“War”

In the background,

I can hear the rat-ta-tat of gunfire.

It’s always there now, a constant in my life.

This time I wonder, how near?

Will the fighting ever stop?

The soldiers are so skilled,

How many each day, how many have they killed?

When I look out the window,

Into the looking glass of my world,

I can see it reflected in their eyes.

They are scared, and they are always hungry.

They don’t want to go, but they need to hide.

For their safety, they can’t take the chance.

Because they still may die.

I see the children outside in the rubble of our once strong and dignified city.

Buildings and homes bombed out, jagged edges and fragments of windows are all that is left.

They just want to play, they don’t understand it

What will happen if they stay?

There is no place safe now to go to school.

All that’s left is a big bloody pool.

What are we teaching them?

What does war teach them?

Who in their right mind ever thought this was O.K.?

Rat-ta-tat, Rat-ta-tat,

The gunfire is coming closer to me.

I’m petrified now.

I don’t know what to do.

Should I stay and be strong, or should I flee?

If I go, it may be my chance to live and be free.

It’s so unfair!

Is this really god’s plan?”

Other freedom fighters also have directed their services at peace-making and improving lives of those in other nations. As many as 81 Mercer Islanders are former Peace Corps volunteers–a formidable number, says the organization. Cheers for them as well.

On the home front, citizens are rallying to fill seven vacant positions for local government. Four City Council positions expire, those now filled by Bryan Cairns, Sven Goldmanis, Steve Litzow and El Jahncke; and three school board seats now filled by Pat Braman, Lisa Strauch Eggers and Leslie Ferrell.

In-person filing for office is June 4 through 8 at King County Elections Office. As of this snapshot in time (leaving room for all to change their minds and others to join in), Litzow, Jahncke, Patricia Darling, Maureen Judge, Bob Bersos, Bruce Bassett and John Freedman have expressed interest in city council seats; Braman, Eggers, Janet Frohnmayer and Mike Cero for school board.

So, expect plenty of signs, doorbelling and candidate forums until the Nov. 6 election. Go to www.metrokc.gov/elections/candidate/ for filing updates.

Couple of exciting summer reading gigs for kids and teens:

“Book Buddies” will pair kids ages 5 to 8 with teenage mentors on Mondays, July 9 through Aug. 18 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the library. “They will read to each other and generally build relationships through books,” said Jennifer Fleck, teen librarian. The younger kids don’t have to sign up in advance, but the teens must commit to a minimum of three of the six sessions. Teens may sign up at schools or the library.

This summer’s teen reading program will have a “mysteries” theme. “If you read three, you get one free,” adds Fleck. Watch for the summer reading d/cor at the library after June 27.

This week’s question to other brave hearts: On the 2000 census, 69 MI grandparents said they are responsible for bringing up their grandchildren. How’s it going? Is the Island supportive?

To contact Nancy Hilliard, e-mail her at nancybobhilliard@msn.com.