Hello Atoka! I want everyone who helps with the placement of flags on our veterans resting places to know that your time, efforts, dedication, devotion, and care are deeply appreciated.
This year has been especially trying as we have had so many different things going on at the same time and with the issue of not having our flags on time has emphasized how much our community involvement means to us.
I have mentioned this previously, but I wanted you all to know that we did not get all our cemetery flags on time and for this reason we did not get the cemetery flags in for the cemetery of Green Meadows on Memorial Day. I made the promise that I would personally address this issue as soon as we received the flags and am proud to announce that I was able to make good on that promise.
Our flags came in on Memorial Day and I was able to get them from the Veteran's Building to begin placement on Tuesday. I was fortunate enough to awaken to a beautiful morning with just a hint of clouds and a modest breeze kissing the morning air. I arrived at the cemetery and looked over the silent resting places of so many lost loved ones.
I had placed my flags in an open backpack and began my solitary walk up and down the rows of graves looking for places where our fallen heroes are interred. I remember thinking, at one point, that I had a daunting task before me and hoped that I could complete this before sundown that day. I gritted my teeth and formed a plan of attack and before long I had completed one sector and was beginning a second.
I guess the ghost of those interred encouraged me because as I walked down the silent rows, I became aware of the encouraging cool morning breeze, the comforting quiet, the distant song of different birds, and the knowledge that an important and necessary task was being completed.
Each placement of a flag on its necessary spot brought the knowledge that one more was completed, remembered, and promised to be kept. I remember reading the markers of lost soldiers and marveling at their age, their service, and at times their awards for their heroism. The sadness of knowing that some gave the ultimate sacrifice for their service and my silent thanks for the sacrifice they made for family and country.
Thoughts of placing flags made me think of time spent with family completing similar duties at other cemeteries, contrasting times, and sharing stories and histories with them. There are family members who take their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and significant others to remember family members who have sacrificed so that they can enjoy all the freedoms we enjoy.
There is so much history, living history, within our families that needs to be shared and experienced so that we know the true value of patriotism. Sadly, there are some who are ashamed of their fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, sisters, or brothers because they served and were changed by the experience of their service. There are instances, such as this, when I become angry because of this ignorance of what that person has been through, and they need their family more than ever.
After three hours of silent meditation, history, awe, and walking I completed my assigned task, and I looked back on the Green Meadows Cemetery and saw the small American Flags gently waving in the morning breeze. Some of you may go by and see two and sometimes three American flags on a grave and I want to explain, at this time, that someone had placed a flag on the grave in remembrance. I placed one of our Veteran's Flags to indicate that we are fulfilling our pledge and promise to remember our fallen comrades but completing this simple act. Again, I apologize that we were late doing so but we fulfilled our promise.
There are so many of you who ensure that this honorable task is completed at the twenty-five different cemeteries scattered throughout our county. God Bless you all! I placed approximately three hundred flags at the Green Meadows Cemetery, walked 2.9 miles, and completed my task in three hours. I know there are those who are committed to this task and this cemetery but until this year! I had no idea the amount of time and effort they put forth doing this. You are truly a Godsend!
On a lighter note, please remember that we will be having our monthly veteran's breakfast on the third Saturday this month. The date for this is June 21 and we also celebrate Flag Day on the 14th of June. When you see the flags posted around our downtown businesses, please thank them for supporting us and demonstrating their patriotism by displaying the American flag. All of us make a proud, strong country which will forever be free if we stand united.
