With all due respect to the war dead of Callahan County, barbecue has always figured prominently in Belle Plaine Memorial Day activities. You see, the day before, Felix always drags a cooker up to the little rural cemetery several miles south of Baird. Of course, for much of the time Felix isn't alone. One by one, though, people slip away. Meanwhile, the brisket continues cooking under the moon and the stars over Belle Plaine Cemetery.
Coyotes howl off in the distance.
Come noon Memorial Day the main course is ready and waiting. I had to stay here to turn it over. I'd get up and turn it over after 20 minutes, then get up again and turn it over 30 minutes later, and so on, all night long. Wife Barbara grimaced when she heard this. She knew full well she and Felix left that cooker and headed for home sometime after 1 a.m.