Cushing, Oklahoma - City Hall Veterans Memorial

The memorial is a 3-tier monument of gray granite, located in front of the Cushing, Oklahoma City Hall. A tall flagpole, flying the American Flag is positioned immediately behind the monument. The monument and flagpole are centered on the front entrance to the building, on a broad concrete walkway leading from the street to the City Hall. The Memorial is set inside a raised concrete border that frames its features. The 1st tier is set on a concrete base that supports the entire structure. The tier is a large horizontal, rectangular slab of gray granite with a polished top surface and rough-chiseled side surfaces. Resting on the top of the 1st tier is a smaller horizontal, rectangular slab of gray granite, with all surfaces polished. This 2nd tier is inscribed on the front (south) side surface, in black etched wording: “VETERANS HONORING VETERANS”. The 3rd (top) tier is composed of 3 polished gray granite blocks, mounted vertically on the top of the 2nd tier. The larger and taller center block features an etching of an American Flag, flying from a flagpole, in the center of the front face of the block. It is inscribed with black etched lettering: “IN GRATEFUL TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY IN THE ARMED FORCES”, below the Flag. The two side blocks support the center block, and feature 6 etched images, 3 per side block, of insignia/emblems. Below the insignia are designations of each organization, etched in black. The depicted insignia, from viewing left (west) to right (east) are: U.S. Army (USA) - officer hat insignia, U.S. Navy (USN) – officer cap insignia, U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) – Branch of Service insignia, U.S. Air Force (USAF) – officer hat device, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) – emblem, and U.S. Merchant Marine (USMM) – emblem. Also etched under the USMM emblem are the inclusive years (1941-1945) that merchant mariners who served during World War II, were granted veteran status. The memorial was an initiative of Cushing American Legion Post 108. The Post conceptualized the project, formulated a design, raised funds, and negotiated with the city for a location. Upon completion, the Post donated the Memorial to the City of Cushing for care and maintenance. The City Hall Memorial is the site of 2 major veteran-related ceremonies each year. The Memorial Day ceremony in May, and the Veterans Day ceremony in November, are hosted by American Legion Post 108. Festivities feature the proper half-staff raising of the national Flag on Memorial Day, and the full-staff raising on Veterans Day. Flags, representing the 6 organizations depicted on the Memorial, are posted on both occasions, typically by members of the organizations being represented. Uniformed members of the American Legion, including an Honor Guard and Bugler, form and render the proper honors to the Flag and National Anthem. The Post Commander hosts the ceremony, which involves Active and Reserve Component military representatives, Veteran Service, governmental, business, civic, and fraternal organizations, and citizens of the community. Guest speakers are invited to address those gathered together in memory or tribute, on commemorative and patriotic topics suitable for the occasion. (Note: Cushing is a city in southeastern Payne County, in north-central Oklahoma, with a population of 7,796 in 2016. It is some 70 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, and is nicknamed “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World,” as it is one of the largest crude oil storage locations in North America.)