KTUL
Dan Phillips
Broken Arrow - Memorial weekend ceremonies continue at Broken Arrow's Floral Haven Cemetery.
The first "Changing of the Guard" ceremony was held Saturday afternoon. Soldiers are guarding a replica tomb of the unknown soldier. The monument and soldiers are similar to the bigger tomb in Washington, D.C.
Director of Community Relations Steve Moeller said the men and women from the Starbase Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol went to D.C. to learn how the real one is guarded.
The first "Changing of the Guard" ceremony was held Saturday afternoon. Soldiers are guarding a replica tomb of the unknown soldier. The monument and soldiers are similar to the bigger tomb in Washington, D.C.
Director of Community Relations Steve Moeller said the men and women from the Starbase Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol went to D.C. to learn how the real one is guarded.
"At the actual tomb, this is exactly what happens there. It's a perfect reenactment," he explained.
The local Patrol took on the replica project back in 1995, and the've been doing it ever since.
"Since so few people get to go to Washington, D.C. and actually see this take place at Arlington, their suggestion was perhaps we can do something related to this," Moeller said.
Visitors to the cemetery have been signing a banner that will be sent to Oklahoma National Guard troops stationed overseas. The Blue Star Mothers organization is also collecting "Freedom Boxes", containing toiletries and comfort-food items, which will be sent along with the banner.
The banner is available to be signed and boxes can be left at the cemetery through Memorial Day.
For more information on what goes in a "Freedom Box", visit the Blue Star Mothers Web site through this link.
Floral Haven's Memorial Day activities conclude with the Retiring of the Colors event at 5:00 p.m.
The local Patrol took on the replica project back in 1995, and the've been doing it ever since.
"Since so few people get to go to Washington, D.C. and actually see this take place at Arlington, their suggestion was perhaps we can do something related to this," Moeller said.
Visitors to the cemetery have been signing a banner that will be sent to Oklahoma National Guard troops stationed overseas. The Blue Star Mothers organization is also collecting "Freedom Boxes", containing toiletries and comfort-food items, which will be sent along with the banner.
The banner is available to be signed and boxes can be left at the cemetery through Memorial Day.
For more information on what goes in a "Freedom Box", visit the Blue Star Mothers Web site through this link.
Floral Haven's Memorial Day activities conclude with the Retiring of the Colors event at 5:00 p.m.
