Staff photo / Ed Runyan

In the photo above, Johnny Ruggles, an Austintown Township Road Department worker, and two other workers install American flags along Mahoning Avenue in Austintown on Tuesday morning as part of its work to prepare for the township’s Fourth of July festivities.

In addition to the truck Ruggles rode on, a second truck followed behind to help protect the workers in the front truck.

Another American holiday, Juneteenth, takes place Thursday. It marks the anniversary date of when slavery was formally abolished in the United States.

Government offices, banks, libraries, the stock market and other institutions will be closed on both holidays. Regular mail service will be suspended.