Selma Mayor George Evans and Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard joined forces to pique youth awareness and interest in the purpose of Memorial Day through the distribution of coloring pamphlets to Selma City Schools.

The pamphlets were created to raise children’s awareness of the holiday and the countywide moment of silence planned in celebration of it, said Michelle Armstrong, secretary to the mayor. Armstrong’s daughter, Jayda, attends Cedar Park Elementary.

The pamphlet cover gives a brief history lesson of the origins of Memorial Day and includes a copy of the “One City, One Nation, One County, One Moment” proclamation issued that stipulates Monday’s 3 p.m. “moment of remembrance.”

The cover goes on to give instructions to students, informing them that weather sirens will go off at 2:59 p.m., and the moment of remembrance will begin when they stop. It suggests that during that moment, “You can silently remember the brave men and women of our city, county, state and county who gave their lives so that we can live free.”

It further encourages them to talk to their parents about Memorial Day and the moment of remembrance.

Inside each pamphlet is a picture of the American with a “buddy poppy.” The coloring pamphlet tells children that money made from the bright, red, artificial flowers “goes to help support widows and children of veterans who died while serving our country.”

Following the history lesson on the flower, students are instructed on the proper colors for both the flag and flower.

The pamphlet also includes the insignia or badge of five U.S. armed forces branches: the Coast Guard, Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy.