REMEMBER OUR FALLEN SOLDIERS ON MEMORIAL DAY
Oklahoma Veterans Cemetery one of many cemetery plats found in the County Clerk’s Office
Memorial Day became a national holiday in 1971 as a day to remember those who have died in our nation’s service. Small American flags are placed on all of the graves in Arlington National Cemetery and a wreath is placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Similar observances honoring our veterans are celebrated in local cemeteries all across our country
The holiday was originally called Decoration Day and got its start on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan who proclaimed that on May 30th flowers would be placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. After World War I the holiday changed to honor all Americans who had died fighting in any war.
In Oklahoma County there is one small cemetery established just for veterans. Oklahoma Veterans Cemetery is located in Oklahoma City at NE 36th and Martin Luther King Avenue. The cemetery formerly called the Union Soldier Cemetery is for the burial of any honorably discharged veteran. The cemetery is maintained by the Oklahoma Military Department. On Memorial Day some veteran groups routinely place small flags on each grave. A plaque dedicating the site states the cemetery is the final resting place for 63 Army veterans dating back to the early 1920’s. There are approximately 40 plots available for veterans.
Two notable veterans buried in the cemetery are LTG LaVern Weber who served as the National Guard Bureau Chief, and Steve Powell, a Korean veteran who is more commonly known as Foreman Scotty.
Many families today not only honor veterans on Memorial Day, they remember loved ones by visiting and decorating their graves with flowers. Thousands of citizens will be traveling to cemeteries all across Oklahoma on Memorial Day. Some cemeteries are easier to find than others. Records for cemeteries may be kept by several entities.
Many cities will maintain cemetery records located within their city limits. The Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office has some cemetery deeds and 144cemetery plats filed of record and are available online at http://countyclerk.oklahomacounty.org. The County Clerk’s Office worked with the Oklahoma County Home and Community Education Genealogy Group to gather information for their Oklahoma County Cemetery Index Centennial edition that was recently published.
Oklahoma currently has thousands of military men and women serving in war zones placing their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. Some of these soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives for our country. This Memorial Day we need to honor the spirit of the holiday and remember those veterans who have given their all so we can live in freedom.
May 21, 2008