COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Vets helped build memorial, now maintain it

Skyler Hammons |, Tahlequah Daily Press, Okla.
·2 min read

Apr. 15—A veterans memorial at a local church was created many years ago, but some who helped install it are still taking care of it.

A flag pole and memorial with the inscription of Isaiah 6:8 was erected at the Church of the Nazarene in the early 2000s by a group, including veterans.

Church of the Nazarene Pastor Austin Troyer said the memorial honors those who served the nation. Troyer said Bill Martin and Woodrow "Woody" Burchett Jr. have stepped up with maintenance, whether that means the addition of new LED lights or providing flags.

Bill Martin, a Vietnam veteran, said he decided to help after then-Pastor Don Nichols reached out to him. Martin said after some lights were installed, the flag was flown for 24 hours a day.

"It's not out of character at all for them to do it," Nichols said. "It's one thing to start a project; it's another thing to see a project through and then support that down through time, and they've certainly done that."

Nichols described Burchett and Troyer as "great American patriots."

"Just to see their love of country to put up the flag pole and put up the American flag and Christian flag, it's just inspiring for me to see people who [are] willing to tell the community, 'We love God and we love our country here,'" Nichols said.

Burchett said he helped with the flag donation because it was the right thing to do.

"I thought it was a great testimony to how people can ... do something significant for their community," Troyer said. "It's always inspiring to me when people... bring their strengths together to do something good."

From the perspective of a veteran, Burchett said, maintaining the memorial has been a wonderful experience.

"I may be a lot of things, and people have probably called me a lot of names, but I am a patriot," Burchett said.

After helping with the memorial all those years ago, Burchett said continuing the work is an honorable act.

"It's what you're supposed to do; not quit helping, but keep on helping," Burchett said. "Don't stand back and say, 'My parts done. I'm finished. Don't call me no more.' No, call me. I ain't much help anymore, but I'll do what I can."

Burchett said he hopes the memorial will encourage people to stand up for what they believe in, as they look at a flag that has been through so much.

"That flag has been through two world wars, the founding of the country, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East over there — Afganistan, Iraq, Iran — and it has meant peace and glory. We'll help you out if you need it, but don't tread on us," Burchett said.