VIEW: 19-31: A Real Memorial Day Observance

VIEW FROM HERE
By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson) Number 19-31
A REAL MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE Week of 2019/08/05
Although it is two months since Memorial Day, it was so meaningful this year that
it moved me to tell about it now. The delay is because while the main media story was
the next day, my copier machines are all on the 'disabled list' and it was only until mid
July that copies were able to be made to allow a real digestion of the story despite
having lived it.
It seems that for the last forty-five years the Floral Haven Cemetery has held an
"Avenue of Flags" beginning on Saturday morning and ending Monday evening, at least
since Congress established the Day as the last Monday of May rather than May 30.
This year there were just under 4,000 flags flying for the weekend on metal poles lining
the drives of the cemetery. The flags are the large casket covering flags that our
'grateful' Government has military units remove from the casket before burial, fold,
and present to the survivors of a departed member or veteran of military.
This year there were, if memory serves correct, 167 new flags raised for the first
time on Saturday morning to join the returning ones from previous years that had been
placed by JROTC and Boy Scout unit members on Friday. Each flag has printed on
the white end the name of the person for whom it was given. The pole likewise has a
permanent plate on the pole also labeled. During the 'off season' the poles are stored
and each flag is examined for cleanliness, washed if necessary, solidness and replaced
if necessary, all at the cost of Floral Haven. This year it was my honor and privilege to
be the representative for a new flag for Sgt. Al Price, co-founder of the WW II Vets of
Tulsa club, placed by the Club. There is a special ceremony where all the 'newcomers'
are raised simultaneously Saturday Morning.
For some years cadet members of a Civil Air Patrol Squadron in Broken Arrow
have been replicating the guard and changing of the guard at the 'Tomb of the Unknown'
at a half-scale replica from 1:00 P.M. Saturday to 5:00 P.M. Memorial Day, straight
through. They are the only unit in the Nation approved to do so, and from my
observation are accurate. This year a new, full scale, replica of the Tomb was
dedicated and will be used in the future. It so happens that Jim DeLoach, moderator
of our 'WW II Vets of Tulsa, now called "All Veterans Gathering" has been telling us
about a "secret salute" now used by the Sgt of the Guard at Arlington. The 'salute'
happens when the Sgt .sees a person he/she believes to be a veteran upon passing the
person will scrape his/her heel as a salute. Most are as yet not aware of this so do
not return the 'salute'.
A past commander of the CAP Squadron was visiting our meeting on Thursday
before Memorial Day with his daughter, who is one of the Guard Sgts, heard the story
and mentioned afterwards that the Squadron Guard Sgts would adopt the 'salute'
during the guard detail over the weekend. Unfortunately for Jim, when he received the
'salute' he had so much camera gear that he couldn't render a return. So, on Saturday
afternoon when I returned to watch the changing a reporter had been questioning me
and been told about this and the duty Sgt. passing in front of where we were standing
rendered and it was my privilege to properly return. Perhaps the first time that was
done in Oklahoma.
The whole weekend operation is most touching and at the same time uplifting to
me to see the patriotism and dedication to duty demonstrated by these young, mostly
high school age, participants. Watching all of them carrying out their duties gives me
encouragement for the future of our "one of a kind" nation. It is without hesitation or
reservation that the strongest recommendation can be made to all loyal and proud of
the USA citizens to make an effort to visit this program next Memorial Day weekend.
It will make you proud, as it did me.
There is no admission charge for any of the functions all weekend. It is
recommenced that arrival for the opening ceremonies on Saturday be at least 30
minutes before the scheduled 9:00 AM with a program, this year featuring
Congressman Kevin Hern, before the raising of the 'new' flags at about 9:30. Just
before the official opening there was the "wreath presentation" at the 'tomb' in
accordance with the procedure at Arlington.
END
Composed July 29, 2019
Robert W. McDowell, Jr. © 2019 841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow OK 74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com