As Memorial Day approaches, communities across Okmulgee County are coming together to honor and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. On Monday, May 26, residents will gather at cemeteries and memorial sites to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday - a day of remembrance, gratitude and national unity.
As Memorial Day approaches, communities across Okmulgee County are coming together to honor and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. On Monday, May 26, residents will gather at cemeteries and memorial sites to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday - a day of remembrance, gratitude and national unity.
From Okmulgee to Henryetta and the rural cemeteries in between, local veterans’ organizations, civic groups, students and families are preparing a series of heartfelt ceremonies and volunteer efforts that reflect a deep and abiding respect for those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
--- Okmulgee Memorial Ceremony at Military Circle At 11 a.m. Monday morning, the Military Circle at Okmulgee Cemetery will serve as the backdrop for a solemn ceremony led by VFW Post 1189. The event will feature patriotic tributes, musical selections and formal military honors designed to reflect the weight of the sacrifices made by American service members across generations.
Mayor Mickey Baldwin of Okmulgee will deliver remarks as the guest speaker, offering a message of remembrance and unity to all in attendance. The program will include stirring renditions of patriotic anthems performed by Pearl Thomas, whose voice has become a familiar presence at many community events.
A 21-Gun Salute, executed with precision by the Muscogee Nation Honor Guard, will echo through the cemetery in tribute to the fallen. Representatives from the American Legion, Gold Star Mothers and additional veterans’ groups are expected to participate in the ceremony, offering a strong show of solidarity from those who know all too well the cost of freedom.
The power of Memorial Day lies not only in the ceremonies themselves but also in the community preparation that makes them possible.
In Okmulgee, the Okmulgee FFA chapter has issued a heartfelt call for volunteers - students, families and residents - to assist in placing American flags on the graves of veterans interred at Okmulgee Cemetery. This year, volunteers will gather at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 23, to begin the enormous task of distributing thousands of small flags throughout the burial grounds.
“Bring a wagon if you have one,” read a message from FFA members encouraging involvement. In previous years, flag placement efforts were done in partnership with VFW Post 1189 and American Legion Post 10, with assistance from community groups such as the Okmulgee Young Professionals, Scout troops and numerous other volunteers.
This moving display of community teamwork turns the cemetery into a sea of red, white and blue - a breathtaking visual tribute to the men and women who served.
--- Henryetta Memorial Day Observance at Westlawn Cemetery In Henryetta, the observance will take place an hour earlier, at 10 a.m. on Monday at Westlawn Cemetery. VFW and VFW Auxiliary Post 539 will host the event, which promises a stirring and respectful tribute to fallen service members.
Breanna Bevenue Clark will open the program with performances of the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” followed by a reading of “The Soldier’s Prayer” by Tricia Bear, a dedicated advocate for veterans and VFW/DAV service officer.
Commander Bill Goodner of VFW Post 539 will deliver remarks, honoring both the fallen and those who continue to serve. A highlight of the Henryetta ceremony will be the poignant sound of the bagpipes, as veteran Kent Pharoah performs “Taps” and “Danny Boy,” bringing a somber but beautiful close to the service.
--- Extending the Tribute: Flag Placement Across 12 Cemeteries VFW Post 539’s efforts to honor the fallen extend far beyond the city limits of Henryetta. On Saturday, May 24, at 10 a.m., members of the post and its auxiliary, along with loyal volunteers, will fan out to 12 cemeteries across the region to place flags on every veteran’s grave.
This massive undertaking is driven by a deep sense of duty and respect. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to participate, and organizers stress that no experience is needed - just a willingness to remember and a heart for service.
Anyone with questions or who would like to help is encouraged to contact Senior Vice Commander Hugh “Rooster” Jackson at 918-650-2443 or Tricia Bear at 479-414-0952.
--- A County Remembers
Whether through a single note of a bugle call, the quiet rustling of flags in the breeze, or the solemn hush of gathered loved ones, Memorial Day in Okmulgee County serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of our nation’s freedom.
The ceremonies at Okmulgee Cemetery and Westlawn Cemetery reflect not only military tradition but the enduring spirit of patriotism that lives on in rural towns and tight-knit communities. It is in these places, with American flags dotting every corner of sacred ground, that the true meaning of Memorial Day comes alive.