A new roof is one of the biggest expenses a homeowner will ever face—often the single most expensive replacement on a home.

What many Oklahomans don’t realize is that the Oklahoma Insurance Commission underwrites a program that can provide up to a $10,000 grant for homeowners who install a FORTIFIED roof. The program is called the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Program. Information can be found online at ok.org, or by searching “Strengthen Oklahoma Homes” using voice search on your phone.

A FORTIFIED roof may realistically be a lifetime roof. When properly installed, 30 years or more of service life is a reasonable expectation.

My name is Jack Werner. I’ve been in construction for 50 years, hold a degree in construction, and own A to Z Inspections. In my professional opinion, the two most important advancements in residential construction over the last 50 years are Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) and the FORTIFIED building program.

A FORTIFIED roof meets standards developed and tested by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. These standards are based on years of research into high wind and hail performance. Simply put, it is the toughest composition roof a homeowner can install.

As just one example out of hundreds of required details:
Standard roofs typically use OSB or plywood decking fastened at wider intervals. A FORTIFIED roof requires roof decking to be fastened to rafters every 4 inches using #8 screw-shank nails. That dramatically improves wind uplift resistance—and that’s only one of many enhanced requirements.

Will $10,000 pay for a new roof?
Usually not.
However, on a small, single-story home, roughly 1,000 square feet, with decking already in good condition, it is possible. Even when it doesn’t cover the full cost, the grant typically represents a substantial portion of the expense.

As a veteran myself, I want to be sure Oklahoma veterans are fully aware of this opportunity.

For additional information, I can be reached at 405-412-7861.

Visit us here: A to Z Inspections, Fortified Evaluator

Jack Werner

A to Z Inspections, Fortified Evaluator

Note: Jack Werner served with the 4th Infantry Division, K Company, 75th Airborne Rangers, completing two tours in Vietnam. Each of his sons has also served in the United States military. Jack holds a degree in construction and is the owner of A to Z Inspections.

Three Medals of Honor recipients attended a fundraising luncheon/live auction/clay shoot event at Cedar Gate in Kingfisher benefiting the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
The Medal of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to support and advance the mission of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Its core purpose is to honor and preserve the legacy of Medal of Honor Recipients by inspiring future generations through the timeless values represented by the Medal: Commitment, Integrity, Courage, Sacrifice, Citizenship, and Patriotism.

The Foundation designs programs that share the extraordinary stories of Medal of Honor Recipients, promote values education, and support the needs of the Recipients and their families.

The 3 Medal of Honor recipients who attended were: • Britt Kelly Slabinski, Senior Chief, US Navy, War on Terrorism, Afghanistan • Earl D. Plumlee, Staff Sergeant, US Army, War on Terrorism, Afghanistan • William D. Swenson, Captain, US Army, War on Terrorism, Afghanistan

The event aims to carry on a tradition established by President Abraham Lincoln in 186. In 163 years, over 40 million Americans have served in the Armed Forces, yet only 3,526 have received this distinguishment. The event is geared toward increasing awareness and honoring soldiers in the Oklahoma City area.

In addition to the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, the Oklahoma group invited local heroes to take part in the lunch time program.

“It’s an honor to have these hero’s share their stories. It’s such an inspiring experience to meet these heroes and understand what they went though so that we have the liberties we have today,” said John Ungerecht, a supporter of the group. “We had 28 teams in attendance, and many lunch only patrons. The 3 MOH recipients availed themselves to all, taking pictures and visiting with folks. Great, very humble guys! Everyone had such a great time!”

Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s membership is comprised of those who wear the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award for valor. As individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor Recipients are committed to serving our country in peace as they did in war by championing the values of courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship.

The nonprofit Society preserves their stories and shares their values through Outreach and Education initiatives and its Medal of Honor Museum.
Ungerecht said that the event has already been deemed a huge success due to the corporate interest and sponsorship.

“Putting on an event like this relies heavily on individual and group participation. It becomes an incredible story when local businesses step in and lend their financial support. We couldn’t do what we do without them,” he said.

Allen Strider, a U.S. Army Combat Engineer, and organizer of the event, said John Nash, Secretary of Military and Veteran Affairs for Oklahoma, served as the keynote speaker.
“He did a really great job,” Strider said.

Strider said the auction included having each Medal of Honor recipient be part of a team for clay shooting.

“To raise more money, we auctioned off each one of them to shoot on somebody’s team,” he said. “Whoever paid the most money for one of the recipients got that recipient to shoot on their team with them.”

Strider said all proceeds benefit the Medal of Honor Foundation.

“Every bit of it. We don’t charge a dime for this. I never have charged for this, and I never will. This is what I do for those guys. They deserve it,” he said. “I’m a Veteran too from the Vietnam era. When you talk about the Medal of Honor people, the Silver Star, the Bronze Stars, the Purple Hearts, that rings home with me.”

Strider said he wants to make the fundraiser an annual event.

“Absolutely. I want to make it as big as I can get it,” he said. “I want to do 120 teams, but we need sponsors, we need some companies to stand up and recognize what we do and be one of our sponsors. I don’t care what industry you’re in, your support means a lot to us, and we could use it.”

Strider said they have three different company sponsor levels.

“We have three different sponsor levels. We have the Medal of Honor sponsor, we have the Silver Star sponsor, and we have the Bronze Star sponsor. And we have signs made up for that,” he said. “We always make sure we recognize these people because it’s appreciated. They have no idea the impact they have made. It makes a significant impact.”

For more information about sponsorship opportunities call Strider at (405) 465-3354 or email at [email protected]. •
By Van Mitchell, staff writer

Patricia Hocker is on a mission to give inspiration to Veterans and their families while at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, located at 921 NE 13th Street.

She is doing so via a rock garden that features painted rocks with inspirational messages.
“Four years ago, I became the chairman of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Veterans committee. The Veteran’s committee is a national outreach for the Salvation Army,” she said. “When I went down to the VA Hospital, I thought it looked bleak and not very welcoming.

There was a small sign in an area surrounded by some bushes. It said, ”take a rock and leave a rock for inspiration.” One of the hospital staff came by when I was there. She told me that occupational therapy did this for a few years, but they were no longer doing it. I knew then that I had to do something about that.”

Hocker said she asked three of her friends, Teta Turner, Shirley Brummett, and Becky Evans to help her.

“Shirley and Becky are artists and Teta and I do the best we can. I also invited ladies from our Salvation Women’s Auxiliary to help with the painting. My Bible study group also paints,” Hocker said. “I supply all the paint, rocks, and ideas for painting. I’m always happy when someone walks up to me with a box of painted rocks. We now have some “rock fairies” who leave painted rocks.”

Hocker said last year they purchased an attractive metal sign to go in the garden.
“I try to get down every 2 to 3 weeks to “plant” new rocks. When I get there, the garden is bare. It’s a challenge to keep the garden planted,” she said. “It has become a mission for Shirley, Becky, and I. It is a blessing for us as we bless our Veterans and their families. Whenever we are down there, we hear beautiful stories about what the rocks mean to that person or a loved one.”

Turner and her friends all previously worked together at Windsor Hills Elementary School in the Putnam City school district.

“We all worked in and we ended our careers at Windsor Hills,” she said.
Turner said she got involved with the VA Rock Garden after a close friend passed away while in the Oklahoma City VA Hospital.

“What frankly got me involved directly in it is two years ago on New Year’s Day we had a very close friend who died at the Veterans Hospital, and that’s when I began to get inspired to do something for the people who come down there,” she said.

“The garden was already going, but I had gone down to see him. And then when he passed away, of course, I wanted to do my part. And the rocks are not just for the Vets but for their families too.”
Turner said being a part of the VA rock garden has been a blessing.

“It became such a joyful mission that we’ve carried it on now for at least two years. And we can hardly keep rocks in there. They disappear so quickly. They give people a lot of joy,” she said. • by Van Mitchell, staff writer

Greetings, I’m SFC (Ret) George Shafer. I served as Chaplain at the American Legion in Guthrie, Oklahoma while earning my M.Div. I’m now the Digital Media Pastor for Generations Church in Guthrie. It’s a great Christian community.

As Veterans, we share an ethos that guide our decisions, ethics and moral compass. Concepts like timeliness, integrity, courage and selfless service. We learned the value of hard work and its positive impact on our organization, mission and fellow service members. But we often struggle with balancing these proactive values with the concept rest. When we take time to stop and rest, it can be followed by underlying guilt, even shame. We are culturally driven to do the work, to grind it out, no time off, even at the expense of neglecting those we care about. So, how do we avoid these consequences?

There is an amazing alignment between the science of health and wellness and the teachings in scripture concerning the need for rest, it’s called Sabbath. The same root word as sabbatical. The Sabbath is a staple of the Judeo-Christian culture, yet we witness daily the results of ignoring its benefits. Exhaustion, worry, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, quick tempers, damaged relationships, work burnout, addictions and others are symptoms of our overworked and under rested lifestyles.

We were created in God’s image and likeness. We were made to rest. We were made to stop. We were made to meditate on God. Just reading those three sentences may make you cringe or laugh on the inside. “George, you don’t know my schedule.” “You don’t understand the pressure I’m under.” “I need to feed my family.” All valid points, but all too often these people arrive at jobs, even to church, burnt out, full of contempt and bitterness, going through the motions. Now more than ever we need to seek peace, joy, and contentment. These are three fantastic byproducts of the Sabbath, if we’ll only embrace and practice it!

Yes, adhering to the Sabbath is difficult. Attempting your first 24-hour Sabbath will likely be a rehearsal of all that you forgot to do! But it is through this challenge that the fruits of the Sabbath are revealed. Honoring the Sabbath requires you to schedule around it. Early Hebrews understood the Sabbath to begin once the third star is seen in the night sky on Friday evening and concludes when the third star is observed on Saturday evening. It shows us that the Sabbath is not ritualistic as it varies from week to week when the stars are visible to us.

For five years I have intentionally practiced my Sabbath. It has helped me find a balance that has created a closer, more intimate relationship with God and my family. I am healthier, clear-headed, more patient, and more flexible with change. The Sabbath has given me peace, joy, and contentment, and has been an integral part of refreshing my mind, body, soul, and emotions.

Communication has been key to sustaining my Sabbath. In-depth and consistent communication with my wife, my family, my job, and my friends has helped create the space necessary to observe the Sabbath. It also gave unspoken permission for the people around me to observe the Sabbath in their own time.

Take time to focus on your own Sabbath, find rest for your soul. Christ shares this promise: Matt 11:28, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. • Rev. George F. Shafer, SFC (Ret.), M.Div., B.S., Chaplain (TAL Post 58)

Wreaths Across America

A mix of long rifles, muskets and pistols fired together at the Post Cemetery on December 20 – not in anger, but in honor of veterans – during the nationally held Wreaths Across America Ceremony. It was sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Once 60 visitors assembled at the Post Cemetery, Leslie Dietrich, Regent of the Fort Reno Chapter of DAR, welcomed everybody and asked for the Colors to be posted. Allegiance was given to our flag, followed by a prayer of remembrance for deceased veterans.

Dietrich said the group lays wreaths “to remember, honor and teach about those who served in the military and protected our freedoms…and teach the next generation the value of freedom.” Their purpose is “not to decorate graves…” but express a “symbol of honor for their (veterans) sacrifice.” The National DAR has given service to living and deceased veterans since 1890.

Attendees then picked up the green wreaths that the DAR brought and put them on veteran’s headstones while reciting their name as a way to publicly show they are not forgotten. After Dan Wilson of Wakita laid a wreath, he said, “I love to see the respect given to those who have gone before us.” German and Italian soldiers buried at the P.O.W. Cemetery did not receive wreaths.

Members of the Sons of the American Revolution and The Guthrie Gunfighters, dressed in historical period clothing, formed a line and fired three volleys. Then, Chad Kautz played a mournful Taps. The Guthrie Gunfighters’ Trail Boss, Kent Smith, said, “We come out to support the museum in a unique way to honor our veterans.”

In 2022, the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, placed wreaths on 2.7 million veteran’s headstones at 3,702 locations in all 50 states and abroad with the help of two million volunteers and organizations providing support.

After both events, Kaufman opened the museum for individual tours and a reception, offering engaging conversation and a variety of food and beverages. She summarized the events by saying, “We are fortunate to have a cemetery that has a long period of history tied to it. With the German-Italian Memorial Service and the DAR’s Wreaths Across America service, they provide opportunities to honor servicemen buried there.”

“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen…….to be forgotten is the worst.” Piere Claeyssens (1909-2003). •

Roosevelt
McKinley
Arthur
Garfield
Hayes
Grant
Johnson
Lincoln
Buchanan
Pierce
Fillmore
Taylor
Polk
Tyler
Harrison
Jackson
Madison
Washington