Summer is about to officially begin, but not before we pause to remember those who gave their lives fighting to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy.

Memorial Day takes place on the last Monday of every May. The holiday encourages Americans to honor and mourn United States military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Ardmore holds a memorial ceremony every year, and this year the ceremony will be held at the Seaman First Class Billy Turner Veterans Cemetery.

The cemetery bears the name of Carter County’s first casualty of World War II who was killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Turner’s remains were unidentified for many years until DNA testing allowed authorities to confirm his identity. He was the first veteran to be interred in the cemetery.

The event will kick off with patriotic music at 9:30 a.m. from the Southern Oklahoma Community Band under the direction of Chauvin Aaron. The ceremony itself will begin at 10 a.m.

This year’s guest speakers will be State Rep. Tammy Townley and U.S. Rep. Tom Cole. Cole represents Oklahoma’s fourth congressional district which includes Ardmore. He also serves as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Rear Adm. Wesley Hull, NOAA, Ret. will give the welcome and closing remarks, and Pastor Wayne Lawson from First Baptist Church NE will deliver the invocation and benediction. The first squadron of the 180th Calvary Regiment of the Oklahoma National Guard will perform the posting and retiring of the colors.