On May 26, the Disabled American Veterans, McIntosh County Chapter 3, hosted a moving ceremony to commemorate the brave men and women who lost their lives to give others their freedom.

The program, “Remember the Fallen,” was held Monday morning at Veterans’ Circle at Greenlawn Cemetery in Checotah as Mother Nature took a short hiatus from pouring rain and blowing winds.

The community was welcomed by Pete Laughlin, DAV Commander for McIntosh Co. Chapter 3, and an invocation was given by David Fultz, their DAV Chaplain.

Through tears, Laughlin stated that Memorial Day is a day for both grief and celebration, and for reflecting on the tragic loss of life and recounting the courageous acts of service to our country. It’s a day etched into our nation’s conscience, yet a designated time to remember and honor these brave men and women from all generations who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms we hold so dearly today.

This year the weight of history feels particularly profound, marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II. Yet the American flag is still a symbol of freedom, bravery and sacrifice and it holds even greater significance when honoring the fallen, but not forgotten.

As FFA students, Trey Anderson and Blake Lewis, from Checotah High School hoisted the flag up and back down to half-staff, CHS band members, Shayla Waters, Chloe Andrews and band director Ashley Hackler, played The National Anthem as those in attendance stood in reverence.

The guest speaker for the special event was Don Nichols, Chaplain, USMC Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient, who spoke about his days as a US Marine Corps veteran serving during the Vietnam Conflict.

Nichols was wounded in action four times and was awarded the Purple Heart. After surviving a near-death ambush, he vowed to help all the veterans he could. By having a 30-year career at the VA and by being a member of the “Military Order of the Purple Heart” for over 40 years, he has kept that promise.

Nichols even recently played a key role in designating McIntosh County as a “Purple Heart County” and yet he still is humbled by the fact that other men gave their lives to get him out of a rice field years ago.

Nichols began his speech by quoting the Gettysburg Address. Then he told those in attendance about the Civil War claiming more lives than WWI, WWII, Vietnam and Korea combined.

“Some 620,000 gave their lives during the Civil War and that’s the kind of people that you and I came from, people that believed in freedom and that were willing to die for it,” Nichols said. “There is a sign at the VA in Muskogee that says ‘The price of freedom is visible here’ and that is still true today.

He then went on to say that one of his greatest privileges was getting the Muskogee VA hospital named in honor of Jack Montgomery, a great man and a Medal of Honor recipient. This was also the first hospital in the United States named after a Native American and Nichols was proud to be a part of it.

“When I think back to those days in Vietnam when I was just a 19-year-old kid in my platoon and we lost another platoon, I am grateful that God got me back home. But I remember going up on that hillside and setting up security as they were getting medevacs in and out. As I looked across the field and saw all the carnage I remember thinking to myself, ‘As long as I live, I will never forget what happened here this day. And as long as I live, I will tell the story of these people who died for freedom’s sake.’ I think about those lives lost almost every day and I pray for the brave men and women still serving our country today that the Good Lord will keep them and bring them back home safe.”

Brian Moore, Adjutant DAV McIntosh Co. Chapter 3, also spoke about the cost of freedom and the fact that Memorial Day is one of the most expensive holidays on the calendar.

“Every hotdog, every hamburger and every boat ride around the lake, every activity with friends and family that we enjoy on our terms was a debt purchased and paid for by others. These brave men and women paid in flesh and blood with their lives… This isn’t simply another day off. This is a day to remember what others paid for every free breath that you and I get to take. It’s the true price of our freedom.”

A memorial wreath was displayed upon a table and the American flag was folded and placed beneath it to signify the continuous commitment of those in attendance to honor and remember the sacrifices made by generations of fallen heroes in defense of the American way of life.

“Duty, loyalty, courage – these are just a few of the values our fallen heroes lived by and died for. As a nation we must do our best to live up to these godly standards and always remember our fallen heroes who fought so courageously for our nation and for our freedom. May their stories serve as a constant reminder of the preciousness of peace and the enduring value of freedom. Their sacrifice must not be just a memory; it must be a guiding principle inspiring us to pursue peace, uphold justice and never forget the true meaning of Memorial Day.”