'Place Of Honor For Veterans': Midwest City's Veterans Memorial Honoring All

Just up the road from Tinker Air Force Base on Douglas Boulevard, is Regional Park, the perfect space for a living memorial for veterans.

“You can be a part of saying thank you to those that defended your freedoms,” said Hiawatha Bouldin, Chairperson and one of the creators of the memorial.

It all started when a nonmilitary Midwest City resident approached a group of veterans because there was no flag at the city’s flagship park.

“We just took it to the next level, as opposed to just saying, let's just put a U.S. flag here, why don’t we go to the next step,” said Bouldin.

So, Bouldin, a 22-year Air Force veteran, began rallying Midwest City for the memorial.

“Our former mayor, our former senators, major contractors that actually supported us,” said Bouldin.

In 2013 they broke ground on the memorial that was never intended to be a place of sorrow.

“It’s a living place where they can come, they can sit, or they can just remember certain things about their families,” said Bouldin.

The memorial honors every branch of service.

“The flags, all of our services on their birthdays, we actually post their colors in a ceremony fashion out here,” said Bouldin.

A special day is happening this week.

“This Thursday, the 4th of August, is the United States Coast Guard’s birthday, so we will be out here at o’nine hundred actually placing their colors up,” said Bouldin.

Visible at Douglas and Reno, the community takes pride in it being a positive representation of our military.

“When those flags look a little shabby, I can call the DAV, and within two, three days, I have new flags flying,” said Bouldin.

For $125, families or groups can have a personalized paver honoring those that have served. The entire area is a place of comfort and pride for all who visit.

“Continue to be that centerpiece and that place of honor as we call it, for our veterans past, present, and to come,” said Bouldin.

The space is available for anyone to use, you can contact them through their Facebook page @Midwest City Veterans Memorial.