Petty Officer Mark Kirchner will provide the keynote address Monday at the Memorial Day service at Kingfisher Cemetery.

Kirchner is the post commander for Kingfisher’s Keith Lowry-Henry Ellyson American Legion Post 5, which presents the program each year.

The program will begin at 10 a.m.

Kirchner’s four-year active duty career began in September 2003 as he entered U.S. Navy Basic Training at Naval Station Great Lakes, Great Lakes, Ill.

After basic training, Kirchner attended Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Pensacola, Fla., where he graduated top of his class in completion of Aviation Ordnance training.

Upon graduation in January 2004, Petty Officer Kirchner accepted orders to the Knighthawks of Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136).

The Knighthawks were at- tached to Carrier Air Wing 7 and forward deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard the USS George Washington in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The crew returned home in July 2004.

In 2006, VFA-136 deployed again, this time aboard the USS Enterprise.

During this deployment, Petty Officer Kirchner was assigned to the Carrier Air Wing arm/de-arm team where he identified two improperly loaded Aim-9x missiles seconds before aircraft launch, earning him the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

In August of this deployment, the USS Enterprise crossed the equator and performed the Crossing the Line ceremony officially promoting all those on board from Pollywogs to Shellbacks.

Kirchner was honorably discharged in September 2007.

He moved to Kingfisher in 2012 where he now resides with his wife, Kana, and children Shane, Kenli, Ethan and Cora.

Kirchner will start Monday’s service with his welcome comments. That will be followed by the invocation by Post 5 Chaplain Jim Butcher and Chaplain Emeritus John Hopkins, Jr.

Vocal Sounds of Oklahoma will sing the National Anthem as well as ceremonial music throughout the program.

After Kirchner’s address, he and Post 5 Auxiliary President Roxie Alexander will conduct the ceremonial wreath laying.

There will be a “Salute to the Dead” by the Post 5 Firing Squad commanded by Ken Tollison.

The service will also include the playing of “Taps,” closing remarks, ceremonial music and the benediction by Butcher.

The public is invited to attend.