Oakland native seeks veterans' family members for Memorial Day ceremony

Although Oakland native John Ward did not serve in the military himself, he always has held all those who served our country in high regard. Those include his oldest brother, his wife’s three brothers and former classmates from Lakeview High School.

On Memorial Day 2003, he and his wife, Catherine, visited Oakland Cemetery to place flowers on the graves of veterans. The next year, they expanded the gesture to nearby Oakland Tildenville Cemetery.

“We saw quite a few World War I, World War II and Vietnam veterans,” John Ward said. “And we even saw some from the Spanish-American War and a couple from the Civil War.”

In subsequent years, the Wards began marking the graves so they would be easier to find. And last year, the Wards, who now live in Jacksonville, spearheaded the first public ceremony to place flags on all the known veteran gravesites — 64 total. The couple again is planning another ceremony and hopes to include family members of the veterans this year.

“It’s an honor to pay tribute to these men and women who are in the military,” John Ward said. “The whole point is to let everyone know the history and honor the people who are buried there.”

The Wards are inviting any surviving family members — as well as the general public — to participate. This year, the ceremony will feature the flags of every military branch. Family members will be able to find their loved one’s gravesite and place an American flag there. 

“Everyone is invited,” John Ward said. “We’ll meet at 9 a.m. at the Oakland Cemetery. We’ll have the presentation of colors, then we’ll have family members come forward and proceed to their relative’s grave. We’ll walk the entirety of both cemeteries.”

The Wards also hope to begin compiling biographical information for every veteran buried at each cemetery. Eventually, they want to invite middle and high school students to teach them about the heroes.

“These men and women put their lives on the line for people like me,” John Ward said. “The least we could do is honor them and say thanks. We want the family members to know we appreciate their sacrifice.”

Last year, about a dozen locals participated in the ceremony, including Jim Holzworth, a U.S. Navy veteran, and his wife, Jan, whose uncle died in World War II; Thadd Buzan, a retired U.S. Army veteran, and his wife, Joanne; Lori Newcomb; Anne Fulton; Elizabeth Bellinger, whose aunt and uncle organized the event and whose grandparents are buried in Oakland Tildenville Cemetery; and Town Commissioner Sal Ramos.

This year, the Wards are hoping for more participants and are working to secure shuttles to transport attendees from one cemetery to the other.