Honor and Remember Tribute to Heroes on Memorial Day at Forest Park The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Forest Park, The Woodlands is hosting the 18th Annual Memorial Day “Tribute to Heroes and Freedom” on Monday, May 25 starting at 10:00am. The park is located at 18000 Interstate 45 South in The Woodlands. This is a free community event to include an invocation by Pastor Steven Lee, a Presentation of the Colors by The Woodlands Fire Department, a Parade of Wreaths Ceremony, patriotic music, and special guest speaker, United States Marine Corp Veteran, Cyndi Tabor, with Reflections on Memorial Day.

Cyndi Tabor proudly served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, where she held a variety of assignments, including Decedent Affairs, assisting with the honorable care of fallen Marines and service members. The experience gave her a unique understanding of sacrifice, loss, and the importance of treating every individual and family with dignity and respect.

The Marine Corps helped shape Cyndi’s powerful sense of discipline, compassion, and service to others. The lessons she learned from her military career continue to guide her today, especially in work centered around helping families through some of life’s most difficult moments.

This year Grace Kotalik, a 14-year-old Gold Star Sister, will share a message “Standing Watch as a Gold Star Sister”. Grace lost her brother, Specialist Jarrett Kotalik, July 10, 2023, while serving in the United States Army at Fort Liberty in North Carolina.

During the event Kelley Peters will sing both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America,” accompanied by pianist Felix Lyons encouraging the attendees to sing with them. Other individual participants are Susan Huff, reading “In Flanders Fields” and “Amazing Grace” sung by Maggie Blattel. Taps will be played on the bugle at the end of the ceremony by Rene Gonzalez. After the ceremony attendees can enjoy refreshments sponsored by Forest Park The Woodlands.

Prior to the scheduled event, local youth and adult volunteer organizations will assist with placing individual flags on the gravesites of Veterans. Visitors can view the graves of over 500 veterans at Forest Park marked by these flags. The tribute service event is an opportunity for the attendees to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day- honoring the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The Memorial Day Remembrance sets the tone for a day filled with gratitude as a reminder to be considerate of the freedoms we all enjoy. This is a free public event.

“This is an opportunity for youth to learn about the true meaning of Memorial Day. We hope the community joins us as we honor those who did not make it home to their families while paying the ultimate sacrifice,” said Denise Steinhauser, General Manager at Forest Park The Woodlands. “The Memorial Day Tribute is another way we serve families in our area, and that is what we do best."

Since 1995 Forest Park, The Woodlands has served the greater Houston area compassionate care providing personalized services to help plan a funeral, cremation and burial that honors your personal desires and family traditions. https://bit.ly/45LiGZo . More information about Forest Park The Woodlands may be found on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ForestParkWoodlands/events.