Memorial Day celebrations to offer fundraiser, grave decorating

May 10—The decoration of graves has been a ritual of Americans for over 150 years, and what was once known as Decoration Day is now Memorial Day.

On the first official Decoration Day, May 30, 1868, Ohio Rep. James A. Garfield, a former general and future U.S. president, addressed a crowd of 5,000 people at Arlington National Cemetery, states the military.com website.

"Thousands of soldiers are today turning aside in the march of life to visit the silent encampments of dead comrades who once fought by their side," Garfield said.

By 1890, all of the states had adopted it as an official holiday. The name of the day was slowly supplanted with Memorial Day, and after the two world wars, it was the most common usage honoring the fallen soldiers.

In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act placed Memorial Day as one of the holidays to be celebrated on the Monday following a weekend.

Two events are planned for residents of Tahlequah and surrounding areas the weekend of May 25-27, to augment the typical cookouts and visits to the lake and rivers.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is holding a Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony on Saturday, May 25, at Tahlequah City Cemetery. The annual event begins at 10 a.m. with a presentation of colors by the Color Guard of Tahlequah High School Junior ROTC. Flags will be placed on over 1,200 graves of veterans Thursday, May 24, at 5 p.m., and removed on Tuesday, May 28 at 5 p.m.

Col. Michael Hunt said 631 is the local chapter of MOPH. Hunt was in the Army for 28 years and served during the Vietnam War.

"I am the current commander and I've been with the organization for 25 years," Hunt said. "We always do a Memorial Day service at the cemetery. We put flags on the veterans' grave that Thursday prior. We usually have 50-60 people who participate in the service."

The community is a big part of the celebration, Hunt said.

"Usually high school students, Boy and Girl Scouts; it's important to them," Hunt said. "They are a big part of putting the flags out."

Mike Allen will play the bagpipes and Hunt will give the closing remarks. Mayor Suzanne Myers will deliver the mayor's proclamation.

Cemetery Coordinator Jennifer Cruwell said the weekend sees hundreds of graves decorated, and not just those of veterans.

"People always decorate that weekend, and most of the year, too," Cruwell said. "On [that weekend] the cemetery is covered in decorations."

For those wanting to support the Future Farmers of America and 4-H students at Hulbert schools, a fundraiser is on tap for Saturday, May 25, at the Cherokee County Livestock Arena.

A Craft Fair and Farm Swap, hosted by the Rider Ag Booster Club, is set for Saturday, May 25, 1-5 p.m.

"It's a homemade and boutique-style event," said Dena Lamons, vice president of RABC. "The funds raised will go to 4-H county fair projects — like the cupcake wars — for baking and practice supplies."

For those kids in FFA, the money will support the showing of their livestock at the national convention, which is larger than the state convention the kids attend every year, Lamons said.

Featured will be arts, crafts, farm animals, homemade goods and more, Lamons said. Inside and outside vendor spots are available.

"So far, 22 vendors and two food trucks have been confirmed for the event," Lamons said.

Learn more

To volunteer to place flags at the cemetery, contact Col. Michael Hunt at 918-520-1680 or Leon Halpain at 918-931-1122. Those interested in being vendors at the craft fair should call 918-457-9141.