This is the way I started last year's pre-Memorial Day column, but I believe it deserves to be duly noted once again.

Go grab a pen. Now, mark on your calendar:

Monday, May 25th; Memorial Day; 9:45 a.m.

Ellis County Courthouse Square

Memorial Day Services by and for area's dedicated veterans

The ceremony starts at 10 a.m., but there is a flyover at 9:50 a.m. that you won't want to miss. After Hays, the flyover is scheduled for Ellis, then WaKeeney.

WaKeeney also will have a ceremony at the Veteran's cemetery beginning at 10 a.m. Check your local papers for your town's salute to our nation's best. There is also a ceremony at Hays' American Legion Park at 7 p.m.

"All gave some. Some gave all."

We can give an hour, don't you think?

* * *

In Fort Wayne, Ind., a drug dealer led police on a chase that reached speeds of 90 mph. They caught up to him and arrested him after the dealer stopped in a Taco Bell parking lot. He told them he knew he was going in for a lengthy jail stint and wanted one last burrito.

I smell a commercial here.

* * *

The Republican legislative leadership left millions of dollars on the table (literally) by not re-visiting gaming laws concerning slots at the dog tracks (disclaimer: self-serving complaint, I admit). The millions of dollars they left on the tables of Missouri and Oklahoma casinos; and the money left there is Kansans' cash.

I'll put this in rodeo lingo for the majority leadership of the Legislature. From Hays' own Gene Argo, "You can't win the buckle if you don't enter the rodeo."

See, now it makes perfect sense.

* * *

Gov. Mark Parkinson visited Hays on Tuesday. In a meeting with area legislators and folks from the business community, he said, "Western Kansas is my favorite part of the state. I don't say that just when I'm out here, I've said that to the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce."

During the meeting, he pledged his commitment to western Kansas and took time to answer questions and listen to comments.

* * *

Here's a note left over from our Staab family reunion a few weeks ago. Family photographer, Uncle Ervell, gathered everyone for a group shot. He checked to see if we would all fit in the frame and said, "Squeeze closer."

I replied, "Turn sideways." We did, but it soon became apparent that didn't change the width of the frame very much. I then said, "Well, in our younger days, that worked."

Some of us laughed harder than others.

* * *

Gov. Parkinson named Troy Findley to serve as his lieutenant governor. Troy served in the Legislature representing Lawrence, then was named Gov. Sebelius' chief of staff in 2005. He also will continue in that position for the current governor.

Both the governor and new lieutenant governor have pledged not to run for any office in 2010, but to spend full-time managing the state of Kansas and working on the next legislative session.

So, let's get to work on getting them dog tracks open.

* * *

Breaking News: I've always wanted to start a bit in my column with that phrase. Lynn Meredith first visited western Kansas in the early '70s as lead singer for the pre-famous Kansas. That band broke up and 30 years later got back together as Proto Kaw; did some recording and touring and broke up again. Between gigs, he's been involved in different media venues.

Well he's coming back to our area -- as general manager of Smoky Hills Public Television. Congratulations and welcome back, Lynn.

* * *

This is an appropriate time to thank Sen. Janis Lee and Reps. Eber Phelps and Dan Johnson. No county in all of Kansas has a better delegation than Ellis County. First and foremost, they vote to represent their constituents before any other consideration.

* * *

In a speech this week, National Republican Chairman Michael Steele encouraged his members to "Look forward, not backward." And then he proceeded to invoke the name of Ronald Reagan several times. Huh?

That being said, we should all look forward to make sure there are large crowds at all the area Memorial Day ceremonies.

Glenn Staab, a lifelong Hays resident and former city commissioner, sells insurance and real estate and is the Democratic Party chairman for Ellis County. glenn_staab@yahoo.com