By Freddy Groves

Are you taking advantage of the discounts available to you as a veteran? Discounts let you keep cash in your wallet, and there are more deals out there than you might imagine.
One of my favorites is the 10% discount from Lowe’s and Home Depot. With summer, there are always projects, always a new hardware item or tool I need, and that discount helps. As an FYI, there’s no limit to how many discounts I can get at Lowe’s, but there is an annual limit at Home Depot. (I’ve never hit it.)
There is a Bass Pro Shop discount on outdoor gear, as well as one for firearms and ammo. Look for discounts at L.L. Bean. T-Mobile will save you 40% on family
phone lines and 50% off Paramount+, which will get you new movies, sports and Showtime.
Travel, restaurants, music events, you name it, there’s a veteran discount available.
One thing to consider is how you’ll prove you’re a veteran when you try to claim your discount. Many places will just accept your VA health card. Some will want your Veteran ID card, al all states have the veteran designation on yur dirver’s license. To ge this, check your state’s requirements. You might need to show up at a DMV with a copy of your DD214 when you apply for the veteran designation. This is very handy to have, by the way, as many places will take that as proof of your veteran status.
Quite a few companies are going with SheerID as a means of proving your veteran status and getting a discount. SheerID handles identification for all types of groups, including students, first responders, seniors and veterans.
Check out SheerID as best you can, which you should always do before giving anyone your private information (support.sheerid.com/en-US/help-center). Check out their webpage
on military verification to see what documents you’d have to show. Be sure you are comfortable with it before you sign up.

By Jill Stephenson
Mark Radamacher was the youngest of ten children in a military strong family from Wales, New York. He was born on June 7, 1963 and was killed in action during the invasion of Grenada on October 25, 1983 at the age of twenty.
Mark’s brother Frank, the oldest of the ten children lives in Claremore. He and
his wife of fifty years moved to Oklahoma less than two years ago to be close
to his son.
I connected with Frank via social media, when I saw pictures his sister Nancy had posted last year from his driveway, stating she was in Claremore. I had been friends with her for some time because her brother and my son were both fallen Army Rangers. Although their deaths were twenty-six years apart, there is a bond that forms amongst the families whose loved ones paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Learning that Frank lived under ten minutes away from me, I immediately wanted to connect with him.
Four of the six Rademacher boys served in the military. Their father and two uncles served during WWII. Mark was mostly influenced to serve by his brothers. At Iroquois Central High School, he was very athletic playing football and wrestling. All of the trophies in those two sports are named in his honor, including the locker room. His involvement in sports helped him train to become an Army Ranger, which was his dream. He joined the military in September of 1981.
His training assignments with the Rangers took him to Puerto Rico, Washington, Wisconsin, Florida, Panama and the Federal Republic of Germany. Mark graduated Ranger School on October 28, 1982. He was promoted to Sergeant three and a half weeks prior to his death. He served as Rifleman, Grenadier, and Team Leader. He is laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Wales Center, New York. His parents and numerous extended family members rest near him.
Due to the difficulty in recovering his body, it took several days for the family to be notified that he had been killed. At the time, Jack Kemp was a local congressman who happened to be good friends with President Reagan. Kemp was instrumental in getting Mark’s body home. His parents later received a letter signed by President Reagan. Mark’s funeral included a two-mile procession lined with flag waving supporters and an overflowing church. When Mark’s mother arrived at the church and saw the casket, she immediately threw herself across it and sobbed. His sisters wanted to open the casket and make sure it was him. He was the baby
of the family, his death hit every one of them hard. When Mark’s belongings were sent home, his family discovered he had prewritten all of his Christmas cards to them. This thoughtful characteristic contributed to how long it took each of them to accept his death.
His sister Nancy remains deeply supportive of the veteran community. She has traveled to Grenada multiple times with some of their siblings. One of the medical students that was rescued in the mission that Mark was killed during, went on to become a doctor and philanthropist. In Mark’s honor, he has generously funded these trips for the family. Additionally,
the VFW Post #7795 in Wales, NY is named for Mark. When the dedication took place, his father was Commander of the post. It was the first time in history that a post was named for a son whose father was the Commander.
It was usually the other way around.

I asked Frank how he feels about losing Mark forty-three years later. Before any words came out of his mouth, his eyes welled with tears. You never get over the loss of a family member. When they die in service, they are honored and remembered by brothers and sisters in arms, fellow Gold Star Families and countrymen who appreciate their sacrifice. As I write this we are between Memorial Day and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the birth of our great nation. As James Garfield eloquently stated on the first Dedication Day ceremony at Arlington national cemetery on May 30, 1858, “For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and virtue.”

Frank shared with me that although he wasn’t one of Mark’s brothers that served our country, he has always been a strong patriot and supporter of our military. Mark’s death exemplified this and is the primary reason he still is today. Patriotism and virtue have no timeline.

If you know of a fallen Oklahoma son, and would like a tribute, please emial us at [email protected].

A joint repatriation ceremony between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) was formally convened on June 5, 2026. This solemn event served to further solidify the steadfast strategic partnership between the U.S. and the ROK.
The ceremony, the first mutual repatriation hosted on South Korean soil, served as a powerful testament to the unbreakable bond between the two nations. In a poignant address to the attendees, ROK leadership emphasized the sacred duty of both nations to bring their fallen heroes home.
“Over 70 years ago, there were heroes who dedicated their most passionate youth and noblest lives to defending the freedom and peace of
the Republic of Korea,” Lee Jae-myung, president of the Republic of Korea stated during the keynote address. “Thanks to the sublime sacrifice of those heroes, we were able
to preserve our freedom and peace.”
The event highlighted the ongoing, exhaustive efforts by both the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense Agency for Killed-in-action Recovery and Identification (MAKRI). The 10 ROK soldiers were repatriated from the United States back
to South Korea, while the three U.S. service members, recovered from the mountains and fields of the Korean peninsula, were honored before their final journey back to the United States.
Jennifer Walsh, principal deputy director of the DPAA, highlighted the institutional dedication driving the mission.
“This joint repatriation ceremony honors a fundamental principle and commitment to our personnel — those who have served, are serving and will serve in defense of our nations; their families, and our values,” Walsh said. “We honor the heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and the personnel dedicated to finding and recovering our fallen. The
U.S.-ROK alliance remains strong; and strengthened further through our shared efforts to bring home these heroes, evidenced clearly in this ceremony.”
The profound emotional weight of the ceremony was echoed by U.S. military leadership, who framed the recovery efforts not merely as a procedural duty, but as a sacred vow. General Xavier T. Brunson, Commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, addressed the gathered allies.
“We gather today in the presence of 13 heroes, three American and 10 Republic of Korea service members. We do not yet know their names, but we know who they are. They are brothers in arms. And today, they’re finally coming home.” Gen. Brunson remarked, thanking the Republic of Korea for its “sacred devotion” and noting that even after seven decades, Korea has never forgotten.
Referring to Korean War historian T. R. Fehrenbach’s observation of the bitterness of leaving soldiers behind on abandoned hills, Brunson reflected on the gravity of the moment.
“For over 70 years, those hills held our brothers. But the return of these 13 heroes is
a testament to an unbreakable promise that outlasts the bitterness of war,” said Brunson. “It is a promise made real
by their tireless partnership between our nations.”
“Because of your dedication
to completing this mission, 13 souls are no longer lost to history,” Brunson added. “But the ceremony serves as a message to all who wear the uniform: we do not leave our fallen behind. The United States and Republic of Korea will continue this mission until every single missing in action is accounted for. To these 13 brave souls: your watch is over. May you rest in eternal peace. Thank you.”
The ROK leadership mirrored this sentiment, drawing a direct line between the defense of the peninsula in the 1950s and South Korea’s emergence as a global economic powerhouse.
“The effort to locate and return not only our own soldiers but also those of our allies to their families is the most fervent proof of the ROK-U.S. Alliance forged in blood,” the president of the Republic of Korea affirmed, pledging to the fallen and to the future: “A nation that remembers sacrifices made for all has
a future, and a community
that repays their dedication will become even stronger. We will build a responsible Republic of Korea that repays extraordinary sacrifices with special honors and never forgets a single hero.” Story and photo by Cpl. Stephen J. Holland II

Stories From Around The State by Lt. Col. Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret.

Simple Bench Makes Big Statement
An engraved, black granite bench was dedicated at the Cleveland County Courthouse in Norman on April 18 – but not an ordinary sitting bench
– this one had a purpose: celebrate the semiquincentennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, and to thank America’s founding fathers and determined patriots who sacrificed much from 1775-1783 to win the War of Independence. The bench was designed and completed by Ralph Stevenson, Jr., a member of the Norman Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR),which donated it.

Members of Norman’s SAR, including Stevenson, State Society SAR President, Henry Baer, and Norman Chapter President, Tony Eastmond, spoke on the significance of the Declaration of Independence at the bench’s dedication.
Seventeen-year-old Natalie Boone eloquently explained each of our Constitutional Rights.

Stevenson said a bench was chosen over other possible items because, “it’s more lasting…” and at 2,200 pounds, “it’s not gonna blow away and it’s permanent.” Asked what he hoped future residents would think of when looking at the bench, he replied, “I just hope it’s a permanent memorial to our ancestors…that sacrificed so much to make the United States.”
Randy Hooper, owner of the Hooper Printing Company who printed the program, attended. He is a descendant of William Hooper, a Congressman from North Carolina, who signed the Declaration of Independence.
About 60 people attended, including Norman’s SAR, 45th Infantry Living Historians, Daughters of the American Revolution and American Legion Post 88.
Contributions for the bench came from 28 individuals and 11 companies or associations. bench, he replied, “I just hope it’s a permanent memorial to our ancestors…that sacrificed so much to make the United States.”
Randy Hooper, owner of the Hooper Printing Company who printed the program, attended. He is a descendant of William Hooper, a Congressman from North Carolina, who signed the Declaration of Independence.
About 60 people attended, including Norman’s SAR, 45th Infantry Living Historians, Daughters of the American Revolution and American Legion Post 88.
Contributions for the bench came from 28 individuals and 11 companies or associations.

9/11 Steel Beam Traveling for USA 250

The Tunnels to Towers Foundation is displaying a steel beam from the south tower of the former World Trade Center on its
“Steel Across America” tour to 30 cities across America from May to September. The beam and a mobile museum came to Oklahoma City on June 12.
Jack Kielty, a retired NYC Firefighter, told Brianna Brown of OKC Channel 9, “This is the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 (in 2026)…This beam from the south tower of the World Trade Center Center is to commemorate the 25th anniversary and to us in New York City…this is a sacred relic…We feel duty bound to take this around the country and let Americans come and touch this piece of history…So proud to stand here and share stories of Oklahoma City and New York City.”
Kielty gave Major Holt a plaque. A mobile museum tells the story of the attack and response and displays artifacts like fire fighter equipment and uniforms.
The Tunnels to Towers Foundation website lists the exhibit’s schedule. Visit: www.t2t.org

The Route 66 Spirit of America Museum wants visitors to explore the dreams America has achieved, what made achieving them possible, and dreams America can achieve
in the future. It’s the brainchild of Steve Brandt, founder and director, who opened the five-room museum on June 10, 2023.
America’s real and fictional characters and major events are highlighted: the lives of Reverend Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King, the 1976 Centennial Train, Star Wars and Star Trek, “Cars” movie, Superman and Superwoman, a real American hero, Desmond Doss, Woodstock, America’s space quest, including the Apollo program and much more.
There is a theme. “People who follow their dreams have moved America forward. And there are people who have followed their dreams and are no longer alive, but can still move us forward if enough people find out about them. I’m referring to Buckminster Fuller, Dr. W. Edwards Deming and my mentor, Russell Encroft” Brant explained. Interested?
On June 13, Brant held
a seminar with Stroud citizens and discussed America’s status at 250 years. We engaged in conversations on topics like
“Founding Fathers’ belief that the Pursuit of Happiness is an inner spiritual journey” and “What it will take for ‘the light side’ to win over ‘the dark side’ in the contest of ideas. This led to discussions about what makes people happy (consumerism, virtue, religion, etc.) and how some people
use competition while others use cooperation to move society forward.
During the talk, the Bontrager family from Turner, Oregon, visited. Deanna, the mother, noticed, “historical nods to people who really tried to make a difference like Fred Rogers, even Superman, you know, I think anything that influences people to, maybe do something bigger than they think they’re capable of.”

What BrightStar Care Clients Are Saying
“I’ve been able to encounter so much greatness with Brightstar Care. The team is so entergetic and compassionate. I have also been pleased with the tremendous amount of care they give to their patients and their families.”

If you love a veteran, you probably already know that “coming home” doesn’t always mean the hard part is over. Many of the families we serve in Oklahoma City and Tulsa are quietly noticing changes in the veterans they care for. Maybe sleep has become more restless. Maybe tempers are shorter. Maybe your loved one is pulling away from family gatherings or church in ways that feel unfamiliar.

You may be asking yourself, “Is this just aging, or could it be something more?” For some veterans, these changes are signs of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) surfacing or worsening with age. If that sounds close to home, you’re not alone-and there is help.

Understanding PTSD in Aging Veterans Why Symptoms Can Show Up Later in Life
PTSD doesn’t always appear immediately after someone leaves the military. Many veterans push through distress for years-working, raising families, staying busy-until retirement, health issues, or losses slow them down. When there’s more quiet and less distraction, old memories and emotions can feel louder.
You might notice:

• Nightmares or difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Sudden anger, irritability, or emotional outbursts

• Avoidance of crowds, holidays, or even family events

• Startling easily at loud noises, like thunderstorms or fireworks

• Feelings of guilt or shame when talking about their service

These changes can be scary for you to witness and exhausting for you
to manage, especially when you’re also juggling work, kids, or your own health.

PTSD and “Invisible Injuries” at Home
We often say PTSD is an “invisible injury,” but its impact at home is very real. It can strain marriages, disrupt family routines, and leave caregivers walking on eggshells to avoid “setting off” their loved one. The good news: PTSD is treatable, and the right kind of support at home can make daily life more peaceful while complementing clinical care from the VA or community providers.

How Calm, Trauma Aware In Home Care Helps Creating Safe Routines in Familiar Spaces
Many veterans feel safest in their own homes, where they know every sound and every corner. That’s why in home support can be such a powerful tool. A trauma aware caregiver focuses on:

• Gentle, predictable routines for mornings, meals, and evenings

• Asking permission before assisting with personal care

• Learning triggers and planning around them (TV content, loud noises, certain topics)

• Maintaining a calm tone and body language, even during difficult moments
This approach helps veterans feel respected, not managed. It also helps reduce conflict and crisis moments that can leave everyone drained.

Supporting Emotional Health and Daily Living Together
PTSD rarely exists in isolation. Many aging veterans are also living with chronic illness, mobility changes, or memory loss. In home support can combine emotional awareness with practical help:

• Assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming that preserves dignity

• Medication reminders and coordination with VA or other providers

• Companionship that respects when your loved one wants to share-and when they don’t

• Transportation to counseling, medical visits, or veteran support groups

• Encouragement with hydration, meals, and gentle movement
You stay part of every decision, but you gain a partner who understands what your family is facing.

How BrightStar Care of Oklahoma City Supports Veterans and Families
Tailored In Home Support for Those Who Served
At BrightStar Care of Oklahoma City, we are honored to serve veterans and the families who stand beside them. Our team provides personalized in home services, from companion and personal care to more complex support overseen by a Registered Nurse. Together, we design a plan that reflects your loved one’s history, preferences, and current health needs.
For veterans living with PTSD or other service related conditions, we focus on building trust, maintaining calm routines, and coordinating with your existing providers whenever possible.

What to Expect When You Reach Out
When you call, you’ll speak with a local BrightStar Care team member-someone who understands Oklahoma families and the realities of caring for veterans at home.
If you’re in Oklahoma City or Tulsa and wondering whether what you’re seeing could be PTSD-or if you’re just feeling overwhelmed by the day to day-you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Visit BrightStar Care of Oklahoma City online to explore how we care for veterans and their families at home:www.brightstarcare.com/locations/oklahoma-city
Call us at (405) 896 9600 to talk with a local care expert about what you’re experiencing and how we can help.
You can also view our location, directions, and reviews here: www.google.com/maps/place/BrightStar+Care
Your veteran has already done the hard work of serving. Let’s make sure they-and you-have the support you deserve at home.

What 24/7 Home Care Really Looks Like in Oklahoma City
As health needs become more complex, many families in Oklahoma City reach a turning point: “Is it time for round the clock help?” You might be seeing nighttime wandering, frequent falls.
Have questions about home care?
Our local home care experts are ready to answer your questions and help you along your unique home care journey.

101 Mobility has been operating in Oklahoma for over 12 years and recently received a new owner. Veteran Jeff Lynch purchased the mobility company in 2025 and serves as President and CEO. Lynch purchased the company largely because he felt it needed local and veteran ownership due to their focus on the veteran.

While they serve other communities, veterans are a majority of their business because of their great need for what they offer. Actively serving in the military puts one at risk for injury which is why there is a greater need.
Although Lynch’s background was in operations, he felt called to purchase a franchise business that would make a difference in people’s lives. A business like 101 Mobility was a natural place
to land given that he is a veteran and much of their service was devoted to them. He did not know of their existence until he went in search of a business to buy.
Lynch’s passion for owning the company and serving veterans came from his own and his three brothers’ service in the military. He joined the Army at the age of seventeen, became a medic, served twenty-four years and retired as a Major in Special Operations. His business partner and best friend served for 34 years in the Army.
Lynch would like people to know that 101 Mobility is service oriented. They don’t sell products, they provide solutions based on individual needs. They provide residential and commercial service, and are ADA compliant. The company must also hold an elevator license to operate and sell some of their equipment. They are able to answer the calls for immediate needs when life changing injuries happen. The cost of the services they provide can range from $200 to $200,000.
101 Mobility has a corporate agreement with the VA that they will travel anywhere in the state to serve veterans. They currently have eighteen employees spread around the state with offices in Tulsa and OKC.
The VA does offer benefits that cover mobility equipment
and vehicle adaptations for eligible veterans. This can
include wheelchairs, scooters, prosthetics and various vehicle modifications.
101 Mobility works closely with the VA staying up to date on the benefits offered, including grants, and other programs available to help with mobility issues. Some of the grant programs include:
• HISA: Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant.
• SAH: Specialty Adapted Housing
• SHA: Special Home Adaption
• PSAS: Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service
Additionally, 101 Mobility partners with more than 120 VA Medical Centers and associated clinics nationwide to get veterans the mobility solutions they need to live comfortably and independently.
Eligibility for each program varies, however, you may qualify if:
1. You served 24 continuous months
2. You were discharged due to a disability caused or worsened your service.
3. You are or were a member of the National Guard or Reserves A full list of qualifications can be found on the VA website. Common mobility and accessibility solutions covered by VA benefits include stairlifts, vertical platform lifts, ramps, automatic door openers, bathroom safety modifications and mobility scooters.
101 Mobility has helped make a difference in the lives of soldiers who return from deployments with life changing injuries and find their homes difficult to get around in. By working with non-profits that build accessible homes for service members like this, they help them gain independence and freedom to move around in their own home that they otherwise would not have had.
To encourage entrepreneurship through their VetFran program, they offer ongoing support to help veterans become franchise owners and have been honored as a top franchise opportunity for veterans.
101 Mobility wants veterans to know that they are not alone
in seeking solutions and support for mobility. Because they value and honor all who have served, they want to help however they can. Installing and providing life-improving solutions to gain back independence and increase mobility is why they are here.
Lynch asks the veterans reading this to please let their civilian friends know who they are and what they offer as the majority of their calls come from the adult children of civilians.
101 Mobility offers free in-home consultations. Their website is rich with information from products they offer to VA benefits that cover costs, financing options and more. For more information call 918-238-7979 or visit www.101mobility.com.

Tinker Federal Credit Union (TFCU) is giving back in a big way this summer by picking up the fuel tab for an entire year for 10 lucky winners.
Available for entry through July 31, 2026, the 2026 Win Gas for a Year Sweepstakes is one of the many ways TFCU gives back to its members. Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries and notified by phone on or after August 10, 2026.
Current TFCU members in good standing will be automatically entered at the close of the sweepstakes period, with no action required. Nonmembers and prospective members may also enter, and anyone who becomes a member during the sweepstakes period will automatically be entered to win.
For complete official rules and eligibility requirements, visit TinkerFCU.org/WinGas.

About Tinker Federal Credit Union
Tinker Federal Credit Union (TFCU) is the largest credit union in Oklahoma, with more than 480,000 members and more than $6.1 billion in assets. For 80 years, TFCU has been helping members achieve their goals and realize their dreams. As a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative, TFCU returns profits to members through financial education, higher dividends on deposits, lower interest rates on loans and low or no fees on service.

This past May, as the profession celebrated National RN Recognition Day and the 130th anniversary of its national organization during the opening week of National Nurses Month, retired nurse Eileen Kupper-Grubbs was honored at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Serving on the front lines of healthcare advocacy, she was formally recognized on May 6 by Oklahoma Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, for her exceptional contributions to the legislative community. Honored through the Oklahoma Nurses Association’s Nurse of the Day Program, her presence at the Capitol underscored the vital connection between clinical practice and state healthcare policy.
“Over my time in office, I have had the privilege of getting to know Eileen and witnessing firsthand the compassion, humility and servant leadership that define her life,” Standridge said in a statement.
“Her dedication to our nation’s veterans is not something she turns on and off-it is who she is. She dedicated her professional nursing career to caring for veterans at
the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Even in retirement, she continues serving those who served us all through her work as 2nd Vice Commander of Norman American Legion Post 88.”
Kupper-Grubbs has been a member of both The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary since 2020.
“I have watched Eileen tirelessly organize events, support veterans and their families and ensure that the sacrifices of our servicemen and women are never forgotten. She leads with a deep love of country and a profound respect for those willing to defend it.”
When asked why she chose to become
a VA nurse, Kupper-Grubbs said, “I am a Veteran, and my father, brother, and one sister were in the Army. Veterans are a precious few who would die for the United States. I wanted to be part of their care.”
“Those words capture the heart of who she is, someone who answered the call to serve long after her uniform was put away,” Standridge said.
“Today, I ask all Oklahomans to join me in recognizing and thanking Nurse Eileen Kupper-Grubbs for a lifetime of selfless service, compassion, and unwavering devotion to our veterans and our community,” Standridge said.
Kupper-Grubbs led a life steeped in military service and nursing. She was a military child whose father served in the Korean War. Her father’s sister, Florence, went to nursing school, where she met Kupper-Grubbs’ later-to-be mother. When her father returned from the war, his sister, Florence, introduced them.
Kupper-Grubbs’ grandmother, Lois, was a private nurse to a family in Illinois. “My mother was a diploma nurse. I am the third of four generations of nurses in my family,” Kupper-Grubbs said. “My sister is an advanced practice registered nurse. My niece, Christine, is an assistant professor and a coordinator in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Oklahoma State University. Her doctoral degree is from the University of Oklahoma.”
Kupper-Grubbs is a U.S. Army Veteran whose post-military career was highly focused on healthcare and now veteran advocacy in retirement. She served for three years as a Military Police (MP) officer. She also received written training in healthcare during her enlistment.
After her service, she graduated from Cameron University in Lawton with an associate’s degree in nursing using the GI bill. She moved to Moore, Oklahoma and attended Central State University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in psychology.
She then worked for seven years at Oklahoma City’s major teaching hospital, Oklahoma Memorial Hospital. It has since been renamed OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, which is now Oklahoma’s primary teaching hospital.
Her first nursing job was as a medical/surgical nurse, and she became interested in transplantation.
She and her husband, Eric Grubbs, whom she married in June of 1979, moved
to Ohio when he got a job near The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Kupper-Grubbs served on the transplant floor there, did research and was published in the widely circulated RN magazine.
When Eric and Eileen Kupper-Grubbs moved back to Oklahoma, she became a certified transplant nurse. She transitioned from Oklahoma Memorial to Deaconess Hospital to continue her clinical experience in medical-surgical healthcare. Kupper-Grubbs provided dedicated service to the VA Oklahoma City Healthcare System for 13 years, beginning in October 2012. Board-Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Kupper-Grubbs served as a care manager within the healthcare system, coordinating complex treatment plans, managing resources, and advocating directly for patient needs. She specialized in acute care, patient stabilization, and post-surgical recovery, alongside fulfilling roles in palliative and ambulatory care settings.
She fulfilled her dedication to nursing as the final chapter of her 41-year nursing career at the OKCVA, retiring in June 2024.
“I am now a volunteer advocate at LifeShare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma, Inc. and a donor family member. My nephew, Jeremy, was a kidney and liver donor,” Kupper-Grubbs said. “I have been a docent in the Natural Wonders Gallery at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History for 17 years. I also volunteer with the Cleveland County Election Board.”
Kupper-Grubbs said, “129 years after my grandfather was born, our family has been in service to others,” she said. “We have had four members in the US Army. My son graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2006 and is currently serving in Korea. My niece Christine is teaching future nurses in Oklahoma.”
“Life does repeat itself, as you see,” Kupper-Grubbs said. “Nursing is an art, not a science; caring for others after caring for yourself is a calling.”

Story and photos by Darl DeVault, contributing editor

Heartland Militaria Show Arrives at OKC Fairgrounds June 20-21

Many of us like to see, touch and hold military artifacts – they help us understand conflicts that occurred that we, friends and family members were part of as well as those from decades and centuries ago.

Like a military museum
You can do that at the Heartland Militaria Show at the Oklahoma City Fairground’s pavilion on Father’s Day weekend, June 20-21. It’s like walking into a huge military museum, except the collectables can be bought or swapped with yours. Matt Hindi, a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, hosts the exposition.
Hindi explained, “A militaria collector show…is anything that’s military artifacts in nature. It could be Civil War, it could be Roman, German…So, it could be documents, awards, letters, medals, swords, helmets, firearms, anything and everything that a world military would’ve used in the past or going into the future.” He added, “And it’s also an Old West collector show, so old Colt Single Actions, Winchester rifles, anything that was used in the Old West, as well as Native American artifacts.”
Pricing varies. Hindi said items range from $5 to $25,000. “There’s something for everybody at the show. You don’t have to have a lot of money to buy a military artifact.”

Show times and fees
The Pavilion Center is open on Saturday, June 20, from 9:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday, June 21, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m. General admission is $15. Veterans, law enforcement, and firefighters get a $2 discount, so the cost is $13 for them. Children 12 and under are free.
Vendors wanting to rent a table sign up at www.heartlandmilitariashow.com and pay $100 to rent a table for the weekend. Vendor set-up is Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Hindi expects more than 500 tables to be filled with uniforms, old guns, and documents and 2,000 people or more to attend. “It’s the largest military and Old West show of its kind west of the Mississippi…We have dealers from all over the country as well as the world that are attending this show, as well as the public to come and buy, trade, and sell.”
“Early birds” can start viewing collections on Friday and throughout the weekend by buying a weekend pass for $100. “If they want to be an advanced shopper and they want to get there when the dealers are setting up, they can just come in and buy an early bird pass” Hindi said. Lots of people do that.

Unusual items
Hindi’s speech quickened as he described items that might show up. “You’re thinking you’ve seen everything, and then all of a sudden, you see a World War I hot air balloon basket that was used on the observer lines of the trench warfare in World War I…I’ve seen documents signed by George Washington in the show…Civil War documents and German World War II documents and paratrooper stuff from the D-Day invasion…It’s just incredible what you will see in these shows.”

Other sights
Be on the lookout for Roman, Prussian or Civil War soldiers in uniform. Hindi said, “Sometimes, re-enactors will walk into these military shows. Sometimes they’re dressed like Japanese soldiers or serviceman or World War II, 45th Infantry Division re-enactors.”
And don’t be surprised if you hear other languages. It draws an international crowd; in 2025, Russian, French and Belgium collectors attended. Sometimes military vehicles are on display, like World War II ambulances or motorcycles with side-cars.

The Host
Chief Petty Officer (retired) Matthew Hindi served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for 22 years. He became stationed at Tinker AFB in 1999 and flew with the Strategic Communication Wing One’s (SCWO) E-6B Mercury airplanes. He retired in 2010. He’s a contractor with SCWO.

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story for OK Veteran News Magazine by Lt. Col. Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret.  website: Rich Travel Niche