Memorial Day An homage to those who serve

women who worked on the landing gear and served so he could continue their hard work.

Memorial Day Weekend is dedicated to honoring our nation’s fallen, whether they served in peace or wartime. The nation celebrates with American-style cookouts and time at the lake for everyday Americans. Many take the day to visit their fallen loved ones and remember their service and sacrifice.

It’s a hot summer’s day. The heat is simmering as it reflects off the tarmac. It’s only midday, but it seems like the work is never-ending.

Aaron Smither takes a break from working on the landing gear before him. F-16s and several other planes sit behind him, waiting on repairs. The sounds of planes flying overhead, heading in and out from Tulsa International Airport, drown out the shouts of his fellow mechanics.

It’s hard work, but a nice threeday weekend is coming up. However, it’s not just any three-day weekend; it’s Memorial Day weekend.

As he watches a plane fly across the sky above him, he thinks about what Memorial Day means; not a day off, but a day to remember the men and

The United States Military observes the day, allowing many members to take the day off. Ceremonies are hosted across the nation by multiple Veterans and military organizations. Service members take the day to pay homage to those who paved the way for their service.

Aaron Smither is a hydraulics mechanic for the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 138th Fighter Wing. When he is not working on F-16s, Smither is a junior working toward a degree in mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State University (OSU). As a service member, Smither views Memorial Day as a way to honor the men and women that served before him.

“It’s an honor to come after peo -