In the southeast portion of South Heights Cemetery, a beautifully designed veterans memorial contains several items of solemn dedication. We are including all of them as one item, and will describe each separately.
The memorial is set up like a church, with a centered aisle and ten metal benches on either side for the purpose of holding memorial services here. At the north is a white brick wall, with a granite pillar. The U.S. flag and the POW/MIA flag fly above a bronze plaque on which is written:
OLD GLORYI am the Star Spangled Banner.....
Conceived in 1777 out of the love
America bore for liberty and honor.
I am the memorial of countless heroes who
Shed their blood to preserve this
Sacred heritage.
I have inspired generations of gallant men
who fought against tyranny.
I am the spirit of Valley Forge.....
of sacrifice.....of courage.
I have guarded every rampart where freedom
Defended its glorious cause.....
Tripoli...Belleau Wood...Argonne Forest
...Omaha Beach...Anzio...Bastogne
...Guadalcanal...Coral Sea...
Leyte Gulf...Iwo Jima...Korea...
Viet Name.
I fly wherever Americans gave their lives to
Preserve the sanctity of life.
My home is in the hearts of all who feel a
Thrill of pride wen they salute me
And what I symbolize -
God, Country, Freedom, Valor
In front of this plaque, a white brick pillar has three bronze shields with the emblems of veterans' organizations: Disabled American Veterans, and Auxiliary / American Legion, and Auxiliary / Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Auxiliary.
In front of this, at the head of the twenty benches is a bronze "Battle Cross". This is a rifle with a helmet atop it, with a pair of combat boots. [Excerpt from Wikipedia]"The Fallen Soldier Battle Cross, Battlefield Cross or Battle Cross is a symbolic replacement of a cross on the battlefield or at the base camp for a soldier who has been killed. Made up of the soldier's rifle with bayonet attached stuck into the ground, helmet on top, dog tags sometimes hanging from the rifle and the boots of the fallen soldier next to it. Its purpose is to show honor and respect for the fallen at the battle site. The practice started during the American Civil War or maybe earlier as a means of identifying the bodies on the battleground before they were removed.
"Today, it is an immediate means of showing respect for the fallen among the still living members of the troop. It might be seen in the field or base camp after the battle in Afghanistan or Iraq. Used less today as a means to identify the fallen but more as a private ceremony among those still living as a means to mourn, as attending the funeral is not always possible for soldiers still in the fight."
A free-standing brick wall has a bronze plaque which reads:"The flag flying in special memory of / OUR FALLEN COMRADES"
At the front of the memorial, behind the Battle Cross, is a granite block which is engraved: "Pause you who pass by this memorial crypt and remember the sacrifice of life and of treasure that members of this community gave to our beloved nation. Herein are placed for eternity, momentos so that succeeding generations of Americans may forever remember the love and devotion we hold for Old Glory and all it stands for."
A large boulder has been placed in the center aisle at the back of the benches. A bronze plaque affixed to it has the seals of all five branches of the military, with the words:
In memory of 2 Marines - Father and Son
Glenn A. Young, Colonel, USMC, WWII
William Glenn Young, PFC, Vietnam
This Oklahoma boulder
From their home dedicated to all
Veterans with love.
A bronze plaque entitled: VETERANS MEMORIAL GARDEN / Sapulpa, OK reads:
This hallowed garden was enshrined
And dedicated, Thursday, the thirtieth
Day of May, in the year of our Lord,
Nineteen Hundred and sixty-eight---
To all our veterans, in all the services,
Especially those souls who gave their lives
To perpetuate the safety, peace and glory
Of the United States.Construction Committee
Robert Powers, Chairman
Glenn A. Young - Bill Treeman
John Pariseau - Gladys Wright, Sec.
O.B. Knight, Designer
Dan Hodges, Engineer
Joe Van Landingham, Builder
This is a very solemn memorial to our country, its flag and those who fought and died for Her. It is well worth a visit - you will be moved.