Memorial Day brings back memories of rich traditions in my mother’s and father’s households, and service in our Armed Forces by multiple generations.

Growing up, my parents would have their three children dress up a little and visit cemeteries in Oklahoma and Lincoln Counties to pay homage to deceased family members. It was a wonderful tradition capped by a picnic lunch at terrific Tilghman Park in Chandler, Oklahoma, complete with fried chicken. It used to be a historic National Guard encampment site.