Although many see it as the official start of summer – a long weekend when lakes, cookouts and outdoor activities of all kinds beckon – Memorial Day actually originated as a holiday to honor men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

The centerpiece of Kingfisher’s commemoration of this holiday has always been the Memorial Day service conducted by Kingfisher American Legion Post No. 5 at the Kingfisher Cemetery, which has grown bigger each year since the completion of the memorial to the county’s military service men and women.

Abbreviated Service Slated

That is, until this year, when social distancing restrictions and coronavirus exposure concerns are leading to an abbreviated version of the ceremony.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday, the Memorial Day Service will include the traditional laying of the wreath at the foot of the memorial by American Legion Department West Vice Commander Sam McPherson and Sixth District Commander Kenneth Tollison playing taps.

No guest speaker, no salute to the dead by the Post No. 5 firing squad and no live music from Vocal Sounds of Oklahoma (formerly the OK Chorale) will be included this year.

Memory Lane Gazebo Empty

Additionally, the Memory Lane Inc. board will not be manning the gazebo at the cemetery, where members traditionally hand out water bottles and help visitors find gravesites.

Memory Lane Inc. is the private nonprofit group which finances and maintains Memory Lane, the stately row of trees that line both sides of S.H. 33 from the cemetery east to 13th Street, in honor of the county’s war dead.

“Memory Lane Board has determined that the risk of exposure is too great for our volunteers and the public this year,” President Kim Stewart said. “Regrettably, we will not be present at the gazebo, even though it is when we receive our primary source of donations.”

Anyone who is able and willing to make a tax deductible donation to Memory Lane Inc. can do so by sending a check to P.O. Box 21, Kingfisher, 73750.

“We realize many are struggling and Memory Lane board wants you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers,” she said. “We do appreciate the many years of generosity given in memory or honor of those who served our great nation.”

Other Memory Lane officers include Bonnie Armstrong, vice president; Beverly Morey, secretary; Karen Kochenower, treasurer; Debbie Baldwin, historian, and Vicky Jech, filling in as memory secretary.

Memorial Day History

Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday originated in the years following the Civil War but did not become an official federal holiday until 1971.

Despite the shorter service this year, American Legion members will continue their practice of placing flags on the graves of veterans beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Weekend visitors to the cemetery are asked to practice social distancing protocols by keeping six feet of distance between family groups.