Whispers of the Past: A Journey Through Time in an Oklahoma Cemetery

Vagabonding through Oklahoma has led me to many places, but few are as quietly powerful as the resting grounds of those who came before us. Cemeteries are more than final resting places; they are pages in the book of history, inscribed with names, dates, and stories waiting to be remembered.

In this collection of images from Kiowa Cemetery in Kiowa, OK, I captured the grave of PFC Hobert F. Goss, an Oklahoma soldier of the 357th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division in World War II. Born in 1919, he made the ultimate sacrifice in 1944. The angel statue beside his weathered headstone stands as a timeless guardian, a symbol of remembrance, sorrow, and eternal peace. The small, tattered American flag, worn yet unwavering, stand in tribute to a sacrifice that echoes through generations. A solemn reminder that freedom is never free.

Another marker that stood out to me belongs to James W. Roberson, whose grave is watched over by his great-grandson, Buster Elliott. James' tombstone bears an epitaph, a haunting yet reflective verse that has spoken to countless generations:

"Remember, friends, as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you must be.
Prepare yourself to follow me."

This verse carries a simple but profound message: life is fleeting, and we are all part of an unbroken chain of existence.

As I walked through this cemetery, I came across another striking monument—a beautiful yet crumbling angel watching over the grave of Ralph Boyd Bounds, who passed away as a child in 1912. Encased in an old, rusted iron fence, this grave feels frozen in time, a poignant reminder of lives cut short and love that endures beyond the years.

These sacred spaces invite us to pause, to reflect, and to honor the past. Every headstone holds a story, every name belonged to someone who laughed, loved, and lived.

If you find yourself wandering through a cemetery, take a moment. Read the names. Acknowledge their lives. Because remembering is the least we can do.