Alva Review-Courier -

Monday I attended the Memorial Day program at the Alva Municipal Cemetery. I was there to cover it for a news story in the Alva Review-Courier.

When I was growing up, the holiday was called Decoration Day, a day for families to make an annual pilgrimage to cemeteries where loved ones were buried to decorate the graves. As a kid, I found it a little boring. The car ride was about one and a half hours each way.

When we arrived at the cemetery, we sought out the graves where grandparents were memorialized. Then we carefully placed flowers, perhaps looked around for familiar names, and went back to the car. Although the drive was boring, one of the highlights of the trip was hearing stories about my grandparents and other relatives. I have few memories of my paternal grandparents, but I knew my maternal grandparents in their later years. Next was the other highlight of the trip, a stop at the Dairy Queen for a treat to enjoy on the drive home. I always ordered a black raspberry shake but could never finish it.

After moving to Oklahoma, I was too far away to participate in decorating those family graves, but my older brother and his family continue to make the trip to Mountain Grove. Now I only have a short drive to the Alva cemetery where my husband and younger brother are buried.

I don’t know how long Memorial Day has been recognized with a ceremony at the cemetery in Alva. I’ve been covering it for five years. Before that, my husband covered the program. Preparations begin much earlier than the 9 a.m. Monday start time. The American Legion and other volunteers place flags downtown. They also spend time on Saturday morning placing flags on veterans’ graves. Some graves are also decorated with stars and other designations recognizing their service. My brother, who served in Vietnam, always has a flag on his grave.

I think about my father who said he was too young for World War I and too old for World War II. Both of my brothers were in the Army. My older brother who is still living had a tour in Korea. Now my grandson is in the Navy after enlisting last fall.

The Memorial Day program was exceptionally well-organized this year. We have Arden and Nicki Chaffee to thank for continuing this tradition. I don’t know if there were ceremonies before, but I remember when Arden was mayor they were a regular event.

The program is held at the flagpole square just inside the west entrance to the cemetery. Those participating in the program were seated at one end of the area while the audience gathered among the surrounding trees either seated in lawn chairs or standing. Lenny Reed, chairman of the cemetery board, was the emcee.

Boy Scout Troop 392 handled the raising of the flags with precision. That was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and Avery Goss sang a beautiful a ’cappella rendition of the National Anthem. Donna Perot played Taps on her bugle followed by a three gun salute. Retired minister Ron Argo offered both the invocation and the benediction.

Reed introduced guest speaker Sadie Bier, a member of the Alva City Council, who was dressed in uniform. She served in the National Guard, including an overseas tour, as a member of the military police. This year, it was easier to hear the speakers as Alan Wharton was on hand to adjust the sound system he provided. Members of the audience included numerous people in uniform including members of the Regulators Motorcycle Club who served as honor guard.

After the program, the Chaffees served donuts as the audience scattered to visit graves of loved ones and return to their homes. It was a fitting recognition of those who died while protecting our country and values, and a great way to begin Memorial Day. We’ll have photos and more about the program in the Friday Alva Review-Courier. You can also watch a video of the program at http://www.AlvaReviewCourier.com.