How To Remember Memorial Day the Right Way in Oklahoma

For Memorial Day weekend this year, most Oklahomans will be on the lake, in the bars, somewhere partying with their friends and celebrating freedom. When it comes to how we should be remembering this day, though, you'll realize just how far off the beaten path our current "celebrations" are when you recall why we remember it at all.

To Understand the Present, Remember the Past

Memorial Day is a day meant to be dedicated to those lost in the past, defending our freedoms. According to timeanddate.com, Memorial Day "commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States." As far back as the 19th century, the remembrance used to be known as "Decoration Day" when civilians would visit graves of Union Civil War fallen soldiers. As time went on, Americans wanted to honor all fallen troops, therefore adopting the name "Memorial Day" instead.

Time for a Change of Plans

Since the day has always been about remembering the fallen, most years Americans spent their time at grave sites and cemeteries, silent and somber. To this day, when you ask a current service member or veteran how it should be done, they will usually say the same thing. According to the Memorial Day Foundation, Memorial Day should be remembered by "visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes, flying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon, or visiting memorials."

While Memorial Day technically falls on Monday, May 27, there are still plenty of opportunities to commemorate the fallen the weekend before. If you're compelled to, there are even opportunities outside of Memorial Day weekend to remember those who have served and paid the sacrifice for freedom.

Where You're Needed

Many times, there are fallen veterans that unfortunately have no living or close family members that can attend their service. For memorial weekend, consider joining a group like the Patriot Guard Riders, who take the time to attend services for the heroes who have no one to remember them. In fact, the Fort Sill National Cemetery often will announce when the public is needed for cases like these, updates can be found here.

Another way to celebrate Memorial Day is to visit many of the memorials across the state. We've listed major memorials and services in Oklahoma, but we encourage you to reach out to your community locally and see where you can attend to remember those who have served.

• Veterans Memorial Park - Blanchard, Oklahoma
• Freedom Memorials - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• War At Home Memorial - Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
• Oklahoma Veterans Memorial - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Stephens County Honor Guard - Comanche, Marlow and Duncan, Oklahoma
• Military Order of the Purple Heart Memorial Service - Tahlequah, Oklahoma
• Memorial Day Field of Heroes - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Another event you can attend with a bit more passion outside of Memorial Day is the 2024 "Carry The Load" National Event. You'll see many people remembering family, friends and loved ones they've lost by carrying a bag or pack with pictures and memories of the fallen and marching throughout the country in their memory.