By Sherri K. Lewis, Grady County Veterans Memorial Founder/Chairman
Oklahoma Veterans Recognition Committee Chairman November, the month we all stop and reflect on what we give thanks for. But for so many the true reflection is directed towards the men and women that have sacrificed for us by giving of their time and lives for our freedoms, our American Veterans.
One such time for this respectful show of appreciation will be at 11 am on Nov. 11, at the Grady County Veterans Memorial located on the west side of Shannoan Springs Park. In case of bad weather, the program will be moved inside at the Chickasha Elks Lodge 1818 West Country Club Road, Chickasha.
This year’s guest speaker will be US Army SFC Bill Flores, Retired. SFC Flores was a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Signal Support Systems NCO His dates of service where from July 1987 to August 2009. Flores deployments during his service time were Haiti 2 tours, Kosovo 1 tour and Iraq 2 tours.
Members of the DAV and VFW posting the colors will be Ben Copeland, Delanie Scarborough and Walt Bledsoe. Danner McGarrah, USAO Music Department will present the National Anthem. Pastor Jimmy Bracken of the Chickasha Christian Church will present the prayer for the program. Sam Troub, Boy Scout Troop #4306 and a member of the Chickasha Middle School Band will perform “Taps” upon the retirement of our flag.
Immediately following the program, the Chickasha Elks Lodge #2125 will be serving dinner for our veterans, friends and families.
I have often heard this but do not know who originally wrote it, but I feel a need to share it with you: “A Veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount of, Up To and Including My Life”.
If You Love Your Freedoms, Thank A Veteran!