Honoring Tulsa Veterans: Local Stories of Sacrifice and Strength

Memorial Day means different things to different people. To some, Memorial Day means cookouts and sunshine. To others, it’s the hardest day of the year. In Tulsa, Memorial Day has grown into something more than just a long weekend. It’s a chance for our community to come together and honor Tulsa veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

I didn’t grow up in a military family. My great-uncle served. I dated a Marine. I have a cousin who is a Navy SEAL. But, I’ve never lived the military life myself. That’s exactly why I’m choosing to listen to others. And honor those who have.

Listening to the Voices of Tulsa Veterans

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the honor of interviewing four incredible individuals for a Memorial Day tribute (which I'll share on my social platforms). Some of those interviewed served in the military. And one conversation in particular opened my eyes in a profound way: a Tulsa mother whose two sons are currently on active duty.

Her story reminded me that Memorial Day isn’t just about those who never made it home. It’s about the ones who still haven’t come home. It's about the loved ones who wait, pray, and live with the quiet, constant fear that they might not.

A Mother's Perspective on the Front Lines of Worry

I interviewed a colleague of mine, Melissa Hanes. She is a mother of two active military men. She’s proud of her boys and believes in their calling to serve. But, she also lives in the space between courage and heartbreak. Every morning is a mix of gratitude and anxiety. Every news headline feels personal to her and many other parents of those who are serving.

"As a mom, we worry when our kids get sent overseas, that they could be one those that don't make it home. And it's a constant thing that goes through our mind." Melissa Hanes, Director of Agent Development, Legacy Insurance Advisors

No parent should ever have to go through the loss of a child. Sadly, I have been through that. I’ve walked that road. And I can tell you from the depths of experience, it’s a phone call that changes you forever.

The look in Melissa's eyes during our interview was a mix of tears, pride, and a little fear. I will not forget the feelings I felt by looking in her eyes. Because of our conversation, I now carry her story with me. I will remember to pray for every mother who lives with that same quiet ache, every single day.

Memorial Day, for Melissa, is a somber holiday. It’s a heartbeat. A whispered hope. A silent prayer.

The perspective I gained from asking Melissa what Memorial Day means to her this year, is one I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

Floral Haven Cemetery: A Sea of Honor for Tulsa Veterans

If you’ve ever driven past Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow during Memorial Day weekend, you’ve seen it. Over 3,000 flags lining the grounds in perfect rows. Each one represents a life lost, a sacrifice made, a story remembered.

Walking through Floral Haven during this time is sacred. Families gather around grave markers. Children ask questions. Veterans stand in salute. And whether you knew someone personally or not, the impact is undeniable.

It is a visual testimony of our hometown heroes and the freedom we often take for granted. This tradition of placing flags isn’t just decoration. It’s an invitation. An invitation to pause, reflect, and be grateful.

What Is the MURPH Workout and Why Do I Do It Every Memorial Day?

One of the most meaningful ways I personally observe Memorial Day is through a CrossFit workout challenge known as Murph. Murph is a grueling workout named in honor of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2005.

The workout consists of:

• A 1-mile run

• 100 pull-ups

• 200 push-ups

• 300 air squats

• Followed by another 1-mile run

• All done with a 20-lb weight vest (if you’re up for it)

Now, since I’m almost 50, I modify this extensively. However, I still do the 600 reps. And the run. Murph isn’t about setting records. It’s about remembering. Every year since 2014, I’ve joined my gym community to push through this challenge, not because I have to, but because I get to.

I move because they can’t. And I sweat with purpose.

What’s remarkable is that people all over Tulsa, and the country do it, too. It’s one of the most powerful examples of community involvement I’ve ever experienced. It’s not just a workout. It’s a memorial.

Why Memorial Day Matters to Tulsa Veterans and Their Families

In Tulsa, we don’t just commemorate; We remember actively. From the Every Moment Counts 5K, which raises funds for families in grief, to backyard flag placements, BBQs that begin with a prayer, and community ceremonies. We show up! We remember.

Tulsa has always had a strong sense of neighborhood. Memorial Day reminds us that our freedom allows us to enjoy life through cookouts, children playing, fireworks, and the safety of home. Our freedom exists because of the brave men and women who gave theirs.

On Memorial Day, I'm reminded why I’m proud to call this place home. And why Tulsa veterans deserve more than one day of remembrance. They deserve our daily gratitude.

How You Can Honor Tulsa Veterans This Memorial Day

You don’t need to know someone in the military to make this day meaningful. Here are five ways you can show appreciation:

• Pause at 3 PM for the National Moment of Remembrance.

• Visit Floral Haven Cemetery to walk among the flags and read the names.

• Say thank you to a veteran or military family.

• Support a local organization helping veterans or grieving families.

• Share a story on social media or around your dinner table of a hometown hero.

Because remembrance isn’t a passive act. It’s something we choose to do.

From Grief to Gratitude: What It Means for Real Estate and Community

As a real estate broker, I’ve walked with people through some of their biggest transitions. I've worked with clients while they are excitedly moving into new homes, moving on from unthinkable circumstances, and starting over. But, Memorial Day reminds me of the most important kind of home: the one built on sacrifice, security, and shared values.

The homes we buy and sell in Tulsa, OK (and throughout this country) mean very little if we don’t honor the freedom that makes homeownership possible.

This real estate blog post isn’t a sales pitch. Instead, it is my love and gratitude letter to Tulsa. It's written out of extreme appreciation to our Tulsa veterans and active military. I am writing this post with sincerity and empathy for every family keeping the porch light on, hoping their loved one comes home.

Memorial Day isn’t just a day on the calendar. It’s a choice to remember, and to show it.

Because every hometown has heroes.
And this Memorial Day, Tulsa remembers ours.