There are multiple opportunities to honor those who died serving the United States this Monday on Memorial Day.
Here are some events happening in and around Guthrie on Monday:
All are welcome to join the Langston Community Veterans Appreciation Committee on Monday at 11 a.m. for a ceremony at the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens.
With patriotic songs — and prayers from local clergy — community residents and friends will honor fallen American soldiers. Marlon T. James, a retired Oklahoma National Guard Veteran, will deliver a formal address. James is the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement & Development at Langston University, among other roles.
Langston Mayor Michael Boyles will extend an official greeting and Rev. Dr. Everett E. Mack Sr. of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church will provide an invocation. There will be a light lunch served free to Veterans and their spouses. All other guests can get lunch for a donation to the Veterans Memorial Gardens.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of Guthrie will conduct their annual Memorial Day service Monday at 10 a.m. Held at Memory Gardens Memorial Park, the ceremony will move next door to Summit View Cemetery at 11 a.m. All are welcome.
American Legion is setting up a ceremony in the heart of Summit View Cemetery. It will hold an 11:30 a.m. service by the American flag in the middle of the cemetery. Jerry Baranek will give a short address. There will be a laying of the wreaths ceremony and Taps will be played. Seating and a canopy for shade is provided. After the ceremony, everyone is welcome to go to Legion Hall for coffee and donuts.
A national Click It or Ticket campaign started on May 23. It runs through June 5, spanning Memorial Day weekend.
By Oklahoma law, drivers and passengers in the front seat must wear their seat belts. With traffic increases over Memorial Day weekend, Oklahomans should be vigilant about buckling in. The typical fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $20.
While there are plenty of events happening on Memorial Day, there are holiday closings.
Guthrie city offices will be closed. Banks, the post office and the library will also be closed. Guthrie High School, which had its last day on May 26, will be closed as well.