Each Memorial Day veterans of all services are honored at Westlawn cemetery when the VFW Post 539 holds special services.
This year the service will start at 10 a.m. with speeches and recognition of the local servicemen who were killed in action overseas.
Post commander Bill Goodner said the service will actually start Saturday morning as nearly 2,000 American flags are placed next to the headstones of veterans. Those flags will be at Westlawn, New Senora, Wilson, Salem and other area cemeteries.
“We will have members of the VFW and American Legion as well as Boy Scouts and other volunteers placing those flags,” he said.
Goodner, along with VFW auxiliary president Donnie McKay, and VFW service officer Roy Essman were making plans for that observance this week.
“I’m going to be talking about the oath that each person who signed up for the military took when they enlisted,” Goodner said. “You turned yourself over to Uncle Sam. The important thing to remember is every veteran is an American. They did what was necessary. That was lost for awhile.”
The local post moved from it’s long-time home on Frisco Avenue to the former Health Department building next to the football field. Two years ago, the county transferred ownership of the building to the city of Henryetta. Last year, the VFW obtained a five-year lease for the building.
Monthly meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
Since the move, the number of veterans showing an interest in the VFW is increasing. Goodner said the post is looking ahead to becoming more involved in the community.
“We want to get our younger veterans to get involved,” said McKay. “This is a place where we can do more for the community.”
One major change is the post does not have a bar. “We want to make it where veterans can come down and have activities. We have a pool table and space for people to come in and visit,” Goodner pointed out.
People who were not active military but related to a person or those who did serve but not in a war zone, can join the auxiliary. Once that organization was solely for the veteran’s wives but now it is open for both sexes.
The post is just completing Buddy Poppy month that helps raise funds for activities and expenses at the local post.