Oakland native spearheads Memorial Day Service

Oakland native John Ward invites the public to attend a Memorial Day Service at 9 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Oakland Cemetery, corner of West Sadler Avenue and South Walker Street. 

Attendees will help place flags on the headstones of every veteran buried in Oakland. Following the flag placement, a Memorial Resolution will be read, and taps will be played.

“It’s an honor to pay tribute to these men and women who are in the military,” 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.”