The Maple Ridge Homeowners Association has hosted the longest running neighborhood race and festival within Tulsa to help honor fallen veterans on Memorial Day.
For 30 years, hundreds of people have taken part in the the Maple Ridge 5K run, however Memorial Day 2016 added events such as a BBQ competition in an attempt to include more Tulsans.
Money raised at the Maple Ridge 5K goes to benefit Tulsa's Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, a group dedicated to helping veterans transition back to civilian life after the military.
Member of VFW Post 577 and District 4 city council candidate, Joshua Starks, served in Afghanistan and says Memorial Day is usually a day filled with many different emotions.
“Memorial Day is very difficult for most veterans because it reminds you of everyone that you've lost, but it's also a celebration for their sacrifice,” Starks said.
Starks, who is running for city council for the first time, plans to use his leadership and training at city hall if elected and remains focused on creating more opportunities for veterans in Tulsa.
“As veterans reintegrate back into society it takes a community to bring them back in. They come from an environment where they're very close with everyone there, fellow soldiers. Sometimes you have to reach out and make them feel apart of the family again, make them feel included,” Starks said.
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