Rosie the Riveters’ role in supporting the mission of the new Tinker AFB during early WWII is highlighted for visitors at the Major Charles B. Hall Airpark just outside Tinker.

Rosie the Riveters’ role in supporting the mission of the new Tinker AFB during early WWII is highlighted for visitors at the Major Charles B. Hall Airpark just outside Tinker.

The air park features one of 5,354 Douglas C-47 Skytrains on static display that patriotic women helped build at the Midwest City Douglas Aircraft Company Plant across the flightline from Tinker Field.

Women filling positions as “Rosie the Riveters” played a vital role in the plant’s operations, symbolizing the pride and appreciation the free world feels for their contributions during WWII.

The phrase “Rosie the Riveter” became iconic in a recruitment poster portraying the “We Can Do It!” attitude that women industrial workers adopted in their huge contribution to the “Home Front” victory. Their ability to step into the critical roles in riveting, welding, wiring and assembly has become legendary.

In 1943, when total employment at the Douglas Plant reached 22,592, women made up slightly more than 50% of the active staff, completing 13 aircraft per day. Beyond the C-47, workers also assembled 400 C-54 Skymasters and 900 A-26 Invaders.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives explained to the world last year in this resolution just how important “Rosies” were to the war effort:

WHEREAS, Rosie the Riveter Day is observed on March 21 (2025) to honor the vital role American women played in America’s victory during World War II. As the war intensified in the early 1940s, men were drafted to fight, and women were called upon to fill workforce gaps. These brave men and women have since been remembered as “The Greatest Generation.”

WHEREAS, in 2017, the United States Congress passed a resolution to designate March 21 as “National Rosie the Riveter Day” during Women’s History Month.

WHEREAS, the symbolism of Rosie the Riveter represents the millions of women who left their homes to work in factories and keep the country’s manufacturing going;

WHEREAS, during the Second World War, when every able-bodied man was sent to fight for the Allies, the nation’s manufacturing sector nearly came to a halt. From heavy machinery to steel mills and freight ports, every male-dominated industry faced personnel shortages due to the war effort.

WHEREAS, the federal government issued posters to encourage women to join the industrial workforce as a patriotic duty during this time. The iconic poster featured a woman industrial worker in a red bandana raising her fist.

WHEREAS, the proportion of female industrial workers increased from 27% to 37% between 1940 and 1945, as more than 19 million women entered the workforce for the first time. Rosie became a cultural icon.

WHEREAS, the Rosie the Riveter campaign demonstrated how women’s workforce participation changed. This resolution recognizes the important role women played during the Second World War.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 1st Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature: That this resolution recognizes the vital role women played during the Second World War.

March 21, 2025, is hereby recognized by the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the State of Oklahoma as “Rosie the Riveter Day.”

Adopted by the House of Representatives on March 13, 2025.

Oklahoma’s WWII legacy is on display at the Major Charles B. Hall Airpark, fostering pride and community. That importance to Oklahoma’s WWII legacy is on public display with a Skytrain as one of the first static displays visitors encounter at the free public museum, open daily from dawn to dusk, with free parking adjacent to the Tinker AFB Main gate at Air Depot and I-40. The ADA-compliant park offering restrooms features aircraft operated or maintained by Tinker AFB over the years.

Aside from the statue of the museum’s namesake, Rosie the Riveter is the only other bronze bust on view at the air park. ‘Rosie the Riveter’ rolls up her sleeve in this bronze bust, symbolizing the vital contributions women made to the war effort during World War II. This includes those at Oklahoma’s other major WWII aircraft plant, the Douglas Bomber Plant in Tulsa, where Oklahoma women also played key roles in aircraft assembly and maintenance in America’s “Arsenal of Democracy.” •

story/photos by Darl Devault, contributing editor

Tulsa based Miller Hospice and Oxford Healthcare will be hosting an inaugural event for veterans on March 13th at VFW Post 557. The event will be called a “Day of Honor”. Mission BBQ is an event sponsor and will provide a free lunch.

Highlights of the event include:
• Giveaways and door prizes.
• Veteran Service Officer will be present to help with benefit needs/questions.
• A Keller Williams real estate representative will be on sight to help with obtaining a veteran certificate to purchase a home.
• Derrick Ogle, Chief of Engineering for the VA, will be present.
• Guest speakers and the singing of the national anthem by a local singer.

Tony McMillan, Miller Hospice’s Bereavement and Veteran Outreach coordinator shared that they wanted to do something outside of Veteran’s Day to salute and thank veterans and show them that they can be taken care of by both entities.

McMillan, a retired Desert Storm combat veteran whose spouse also served more than twenty years in the Army, developed his passion for veterans by being one and is committed to helping them. He went on to say, “A Day of Honor is about recognition, dignity and connection. Veterans carry a lot with them in relation to their service, especially as they age”. Miller Hospice wants veterans to know that their service, their life and their stories matter. Many veterans are alone or isolated at the end stages of their life and find it difficult to connect with people outside of their home. Miller Hospice partners with the VA to help veterans have the best possible experience. They offer educational programs in relation to sicknesses that may be related to specific times of service. They understand that Post Traumatic Stress may also come with moral injuries related to combat service. Miller Hospice wants veterans to know they have great love, respect and compassion for them. They are committed to helping veterans have access to the resources they have earned. Additionally, McMillan and Michelle Fox, the Executive Director of Miller Hospice, understand that veterans grieve differently and deserve care from people who honor their individual experience in a place that is safe to share. Grief groups for them and their families is one of the ways they do this.

Jaclyn Solomon who is a licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant and currently the Account Executive for Oxford HealthCare, has served veterans for nearly two decades. She is the former spouse of a Marine, and her father also served in the Army as a Buck Sergeant. She has worked at Quantico and Cherry Point serving active and retired service members. Oxford HealthCare serves a 50 mile radius of Tulsa and has a 4.5 star rating from CMS.gov (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services), offers a variety of services that allows care for those that served while working closely with VA contracts.

Miller Hospice serves an approximate 50 mile radius of Tulsa. They have earned a five star rating from CMS.

McMillan added that the objective of the event is to make veterans feel honored and said that honor is not something they just say, it is what they do!

Miller Hospice is a locally owned, non-profit care provider that is committed to caring for the body, mind, and spirit of each individual along with his or her family. Being local and a non-profit are both important because it means the patient care is our priority, ensuring excellent, compassionate care. We serve people of all denominations, nationalities, races and creeds. As a non-profit, our patients will never pay for our services, even if they are not eligible for Medicare or private insurance coverage.

Our expert care team provides services including: nursing, home health aides, medical social workers, chaplains, durable medical equipment, medical supplies, medications and volunteers FREE of charge.

At Miller Hospice we are committed to focus not only on the patient but on the family, too. We understand that the end-of-life care journey can be demanding and stressful for everyone. Therefore, our hospice team is there to help meet the emotional and spiritual needs of the patients as well as their loved ones. The hospice team is highly skilled and will be available to assess both your needs and your family’s.

The “Day of Honor” is a free event for veterans only. Veterans are asked to call 918-742-6415 to RSVP. The address of VFW Post 557 is 1109 E. Sixth Street, Tulsa. •
by Jill Stephenson, staff writer

Father, I thank you for this day. This simple prayer is how I begin and end each day. As someone who has had a few near-death experiences, I find it necessary to thank Him for every day He blesses me with. Being thankful can be easy when life is great, but finding reasons to be thankful is difficult during life’s trials. Our faith allows us to be grateful for these days, even when things look bleak. The unknowns of life have a way of weighing on us and hurting our faith.

Faith is an amazing thing; we trust in Him, not knowing what lies ahead. My grandfathers kept their faith during the Korean War, and my brother kept his faith during Operation Enduring Freedom. These three men did not know what the next ten minutes would hold, let alone the next day. I have listened to their stories of what they endured during those times of chaos, and it made me realize that my own struggles and trials seemed trivial compared to what they faced daily. Yet we all face something in life that feels like it can break us, maybe even draw us away from our faith.

Even through my own struggles, near-death experiences, and heartbreaks, my faith has never wavered, just like those brave men I call family. Going into each day knowing that our Father in Heaven knows our stories, every detail of our lives, assures us that even through the bad moments, He will use them for His good and bring us through our storm. Knowing that our Father gives peace and strength to face trials and tribulations gives us a shining light at the end of that journey. A comfort that is supernatural and can not be explained to those who do not know Him.

When we thank Him in the midst of hurt, we are letting Him know our faith is in His plan. The lessons learned from our journeys are that, whether times are good or bad, He never leaves our side. We must stay focused on Him so we can walk through the storms, but when the storms distract us, He will be there to pull us up above the water. So, during the hard times and the fantastic times, take time to thank Him for the day He has given you to be here and to work for Him.

Having faith that Jesus is who He said He is gives us salvation and a place in the Kingdom with the Father. Faith that He knows what is best for us lets us live a life that is glorified. Yet faith does not come without struggles. We are never guaranteed a life without problems, just that we will have a Savior and a Father who will never leave us. So, Father, I thank you for this day, a day when I can talk to those who know You and those who will come to know You. Guide us through this life and build our Faith in You. •
by Cory Jeans

Care Plus Home Care services of Oklahoma City was established in 1993 by local businesswoman Nancy Brewer and her daughter Kristi Brewer-Campbell.

Together they have earned a reputation for giving quality care and attention to their clients, which includes Veterans.

Care Plus Home Care, located at 9828 NE 23rd Street, provides an alternative for seniors wanting to remain independent and in the comfort of their own home.

“Being family owned and operated, we have been able to provide better one-on-one service to the client,” Brewer-Campbell said. “We love helping Veterans because they served our country and we want to help them stay at home.”

She continued, “It’s so important. If you saw some of the Veterans that we take care of and know there’s backstories, you’d understand. Some of these people are young and it’s incredible to be able to make a difference for them so they don’t have to go to an institution. They get to stay in their own home because of what the VA allows us to do. It’s just an incredible program that we’re passionate about.”

Brewer-Campbell said Care Plus Home Care works with the VA to help clients with respite care options for their primary caregiver.

“Well, let’s just say a husband and wife live alone, and the husband’s a Veteran and the wife may be ill as well, and so it’s hard for her to take care of her Veteran husband,” she said. “And so, the VA sometimes will pay for respite each week as well, and so we’re able to do more that helps the whole family. We can go in and do housekeeping and laundry assistance, be there and let the family member take a break, because they’re the main caregiver.”

Brewer-Campbell said once a Veteran is approved for home care via the VA, they will do a nurse evaluation to put the care plan together.

“We go there with our nurse first for their evaluation,” she said. “And then we work with a Veteran on their days and times requested. We want to keep them at home. And if they need someone every morning, then that’s what we do, we go in every morning and we get them ready for the day. And everybody’s different and their needs are different as well.”

Care Plus Home Care also offers a variety to its senior clients including:

Round-the-clock care is a cost-effective arrangement that provides individuals 24-hour service.

Transportation is one of the most common needs expressed by older people. If mobility is a concern, the caregiver can attend any function, doctor’s appointment or errand with the client. Caregiver transportation services make it possible for individuals who do not drive to obtain rides for all their important appointments.

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care
Most people hope to age safely and comfortably in their own homes, including those managing Alzheimer’s & Dementia. As the disease progresses it carries with it a tremendous burden on the family members who are providing the care.

“Our highly qualified caregivers are ready to provide these helpful and necessary services that can reduce the difficult and often stressful aspects of a caregiver for your loved one,” Brewer-Campbell said.

Managing medications properly is vital to a loved one’s health.

“Our caregivers can assist with opening medication containers, reading labels, and reminding the client of their scheduled medications,” she said.

Brewer-Campbell said her company has a motto they strive to reach every day. “Our motto is ‘stay home, stay well.’ And who doesn’t want to be at home? It’s just part of our passion to be able to help people who want to be at home,” she said. “Who doesn’t love being home? You’re happy if you’re at home, you’re healthier at home, and it’s just how people want to age, they want to age in place, and we help people do that.”

Brewer-Campbell praised her office staff for their dedication and service helping seniors.
“We have a really great office staff who’s worked for me for 10 plus years,” she said. “Every single one of them has worked for me for that long. And we are a good team. We really try to have great customer service. We get compliments all the time because we give attention to our clients, much needed attention. And so, we’ll follow up with them. They’re not just a number. They’re important to us, every single client. And we want every single one to be satisfied and have the best care possible.”

For more information about Care Plus Home Care call (405) 769-2551 or visit www.CarePlusatHome.com. •

by Van Mitchell, staff writer

Route 66 turns 100 years old in 2026, and the historic highway is highlighted in a new book “Route 66-The First 100 Years,” co-authored by acclaimed Route 66 ambassadors Jim Ross and Shellee Graham.

The book is crafted from crafted from three decades of traveling, photographing, and writing about the route by Ross and Graham.

Previous books by them include “Route 66 Sightings, Tales from the Coral Court, Route 66 Crossings, and Secret Route 66.”

Their new book explores the route from its birth in 1926 through its centennial, and experience the events, people, and places that created the legacy ensuring America’s Mother Road a place in the hearts and minds of the nation.

Route 66 was one of the United States’ first continuous stretches of paved highway and served as a major path for those who migrated to the West.

The numerical route designation “66” was assigned to the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route on April 30, 1926. “The Mother Road” was officially established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) from Chicago to Los Angeles. It became the shortest, year-round route between the Midwest and the Pacific Coast, and was also known as “The Main Street of America” and the “Will Rogers Highway”. On that date, only 800 miles of Route 66 were paved, the rest being graded dirt, gravel, bricks, or planks of wood. It took 11 more years before the entire road would be paved.

From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed southwest through Illinois and Missouri, and a small section of southeast Kansas. From there it turned in a more westward direction through Oklahoma and Texas, with the final stretches in New Mexico and Arizona before its termination point in Los Angeles.

During the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s, the diagonal course of Route 66 was the primary route for migrating farm workers from the Midwest to California. The migration continued during World War II due to job availability in California.

It linked small, rural towns to larger cities, and markets. The fact that it covered mainly flat areas and featured moderate year-round weather made it an attractive route for travelers, and truckers. During this time, it also became one of the key routes for moving military equipment across the country.

Due to the efforts of the U.S. Highway 66 Association, Route 66 became the first highway to be completely paved, in 1938. In the 1950s, Route 66 became the main highway for vacationers heading to Los Angeles.

As the world’s most famous highway, Route 66 conjures up images of dreamers, road-trippers, migrants, and nomads.

The co-authors state that on a deeper level, it is a story of escape, triumph, deliverance, and adventure during the best and worst of times. From the dawn of the auto age to surviving the Great Depression and Dust Bowl years to memorable mid-century family vacations, destinies were played out on the route, leaving indelible impressions on millions.
Ross and Graham said those pilgrimages, embedded in our history, continue today, undertaken by millions more seeking to follow the same path and reimagine those times.

“Ladies of legend, the influence of Indigenous America, neon-splashed boulevards, tourist traps, motor courts, trading posts, and heroes both remembered and forgotten-all these and more await discovery between these covers,” the co-authors said.”

Ross and Graham said their new book is beautifully illustrated with hundreds of photographs, many of them vintage. The saga of Route 66 is uniquely told in a compelling narrative that celebrates the centennial of the route and pays homage to all whose lives were shaped or changed by this wondrous road.

Ross and Graham said the history of Route 66 is a story worth telling.

“Route 66 conjures up images of dreamers, road trippers, migrants, and nomads,” they said. “On a deeper level, it is a story of escape, triumph, deliverance, and adventure during the best and worst of times. From surviving the Great Depression and Dust Bowl years to memorable mid-century family vacations, Route 66 pilgrimages became embedded in our history. Today, they continue, undertaken by those seeking to follow the same path and reimagine those times.” •

by Van Mitchell, staff writer

It comes as a big surprise, given the seriousness of burying a loved one, but the VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) just earned an extremely high score on satisfaction with its services. As measured by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) of over 100 government services and agencies for 2025, the NCA ranked 98 out of 100, the highest score ever. The NCA twice earned a score of 97, while the average of other government agencies was 70.4.

Last year the NCA buried over 130,000 veterans and their family members at the 157 national cemeteries in 44 states. Burial and memorial benefits include a gravesite, perpetual care of the site, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, a marker or medallion, a burial flag given at the funeral and military funeral honors that include the playing of “Taps.”

If you’re a veteran, have you made your final plans yet? Are they in writing? When the time comes, it will be easier on your family if arrangements have already been concluded. You can do this by having a pre-need determination done (VA Form 40-100007) to determine your eligibility and approval for burial.

Start with va.gov/burials-memorials and click “Eligibility.” Have your DD-214 in hand. If you need help, call them at 800-535-1117.

To learn more about your burial and memorial benefits, see
www.cem.va.gov/burial-memorial-benefits.

As part of advance planning, consider the Veterans Legacy Memorial website (www.vlm.cem.va.gov)]. Each veteran buried at a VA national cemetery has a webpage listing name, dates of birth and death, war period served, decorations, rank and more. Family members can later add photos and documents if they wish. Your advanced planning might include a handful of photos and information you’d like to see added later. Include the phone number 866-245-1490 in your information in case your family needs help with uploading files when the time comes.

Be sure your family knows where you’re keeping your pre-need approval and Veterans Legacy Memorial documents.•

(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc

Capt. Aaron Stutzman, a native of Acme, Pennsylvania, recently completed his tour as the first commanding officer aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Oklahoma.

Oklahoma recently held a change of command ceremony at the Vista Point Conference Center on Naval Station Norfolk, where Stutzman turned over command of the future submarine to Cmdr. Jason C. Kim.

“I am proud of my sailors onboard PCU Oklahoma,” Stutzman said. “I was the first commanding officer and they bought into our philosophy, valuing gaining experience at sea to prepare to take Oklahoma to sea in the future. While I won’t get to take Oklahoma to sea, my sailors will, and they will be ready.”

Stutzman, a 1999 graduate of Connellsville Area High School, earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Penn State in 2003. While in the Navy, Stutzman earned a master’s in engineering management from Old Dominion University in 2012, a master’s in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in 2016, and a Doctorate of Education in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University in 2024.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Acme.

“I grew up on a small farm in southwestern PA and learned the grit it takes to do the hard jobs,” Stutzman said. “I was able to apply that in my command tour of PCU Oklahoma to build a culture for new submariners that highlighted the importance of a hard work ethic, especially in a shipyard environment for sailors who joined the Navy to see the world. On Oklahoma, we lived by the ‘Code of the West’ and built our homestead.”

Stutzman has served in the Navy for 22 years.

“I joined the Navy because I was inspired by my grandfather’s service as an Army radio operator in World War II,” Stutzman said. “I stayed in the Navy and continue to serve because of the people I get to work with every day. Submariners are a very small portion of the Navy and the longer you stay in, the smaller that population gets. It becomes a family.”

Oklahoma is the second Navy vessel and the first submarine named for the Sooner State. The previous USS Oklahoma, a battleship, was sunk by nine torpedoes during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The ship capsized within 15 minutes of the attack, trapping its sailors inside. Thirty-two sailors were rescued after welders on shore jumped onto the upside-down battleship and cut holes in the hull. The bodies of the 429 sailors who were trapped inside the ship were later recovered.

One of the newest of the Navy’s Virginia-class submarines, Oklahoma was designed with stealth and surveillance capabilities, as well as special warfare enhancements, to meet the Navy’s multi-mission requirements. At 377 feet long and 34 feet across at its widest point, Oklahoma is only slightly longer than a football field and is crewed by about 135 enlisted sailors and officers.

Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technologically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.

There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines, ballistic-missile submarines and guided-missile submarines.
Fast-attack submarines, like Oklahoma, are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.

Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Stutzman is part of the rich 125-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.

The U.S. Navy is celebrated its 250th birthday last year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Stutzman serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means protecting our American way of life,” Stutzman said. “Providing a future for my family and my children is why I continue to do what I do.”

Stutzman is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank all those in Oklahoma who welcomed us with open arms to build relationships that will last the life of the ship,” Stutzman said. “Especially to the USS Oklahoma Commissioning Committee for stepping up and showing us what the Oklahoma Standard really means.” •
by Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach

“When my son was learning about WWII in the 1970’s, I prepared this article to document my journey to Europe.

I left the United States for an unknown destination on 21 April 1944 on the S.S. Joseph N. Teal with my 420th Signal Company (120 men) and hundreds more onboard.

After being at sea a few days, we learned we were going to Italy. At that time, Italy was the only place on the European continent where the US Army was actively engaged in ground combat with Germany.

While crossing the Atlantic in early 1944 was still very hazardous because of the German U- boat threat, the Mediterranean was a much greater risk. I was not concerned. Youth and ignorance were on my side.

The convoy stretched from horizon to horizon. Among the many ships were an aircraft carrier and other warships. Even our ship, a merchant carrier, was fitted with some formidable weapons operated by a US Navy gun crew. I felt safe and secure. This was a great adventure and I was looking forward to the crossing.

Progress was slow as the ships in the convoy zigged and zagged, in unison, across the Atlantic.

Our own company cooks prepared the meals…Fresh fruit and vegetables, which were plentiful the first few days, soon were exhausted. Rice and dehydrated eggs and potatoes replaced the fresh food.

Second servings, which had been standard, were no longer available. For the first time in my life, I experienced real, genuine hunger…(Only after reaching Italy and observing real starvation among the local population did I finally realize what hunger really was.)

The great adventure I had envisioned slowly gave way to reality. The daily routine of calisthenics, meager meals that looked and tasted pretty much the same as yesterdavs, the lack of fresh water showers, and general boredom soon took its toll on morale.

I would slip up on deck at night just to get away from the mass of humanity. Rows of bunks, five high, about eighteen inches apart, filled the ship’s cargo hold…Those in the lower bunks were in jeopardy of nausea showers from sea sick GIs above.

The morale officer organized USO type skits for entertainment. GIs, dressed as females, brought howls of laughter. They looked comically ridiculous in their make shift skirts, Improvised breast augmentation, rag mop hairpieces, hairy legs, and clumsy Gl boots.

Another morale booster was the Red Cross gifts. We each received a drawstring bag filled with toilet articles, a sewing kit and a candy bar. The candy was a single Baby Ruth bar. It was indeed a welcome sight, a magnificent feast…I lay in my bunk, slowly removed the wrapper and took a small nibble…I slowly devoured the entire bar in this manner, making it last as long as possible.

As we approached Gibraltar, the Navy gun crews uncovered their weapons and fired a few practice rounds. Most of us sat on deck and watched attentively as the crew prepared to load and fire.

Early the next morning…The ship was silent. There was no sound from the engine room or no sound of the screw moving the ship though the water…I rushed up on deck. There ahead about a mile was the rock of Gibraltar.

However, the convoy was gone. True to plan, if any ship experienced trouble, the convoy would continue. Overhead was a British flying boat at mast altitude slowing circling our ship and watching for submerged German submarines. German U-boats favored the Straits of Gibraltar.

The narrowing of the Atlantic Ocean to meet the Mediterranean Sea provided a narrow funnel through which all allied convoys bound for Italy must pass. Eventually, a British tug towed the ship into the safety of Gibraltar harbor.

We remained there for a week for repairs…Just prior to leaving the safety of the harbor, we assembled on the ship’s fantail for an unexpected briefing. German planes using remotely controlled glider bombs had attacked the convoy…There was a loss of ships and lives.

When exiting the harbor, massive underwater gates were opened to let our ship through…

The next day, two German planes observed us from a distance, but did not attack. Then, the Mediterranean experienced a severe storm with heavy seas and low visibility. This storm slowed our progress, but provided much needed protection until we were near Sicily and allied naval and air power.

Finally, on 23 May 1944, we reached the safety of harbor at Bari, Italy. Thirty-three days had elapsed since departing the United States.” •
story and photos submitted by James Ferguson

Veterans who applied for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits in the past – or who have never applied – may want to review their eligibility as changes in federal law and VA policy can affect how claims are processed.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a federal agency, administers benefits through separate systems with different eligibility requirements. VA health care is managed by the Veterans Health Administration, while disability compensation and other benefits are handled by the Veterans Benefits Administration. Eligibility decisions in one system do not automatically determine eligibility in the other.
Recent updates to VA law and policy, including expanded presumptive conditions and revised service-connection guidance, may affect how claims are reviewed today. Veterans who were previously denied, paused the claims process, or have not revisited their eligibility in several years may benefit from having their information reviewed.
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA), a state agency, works with the federal VA to help veterans understand the claims process and available options. Veterans are encouraged to review their service history and medical conditions and to speak with an accredited Veteran Service Officer (VSO). VSOs provide free assistance and help ensure claims are submitted with current information.
In addition to claims assistance, ODVA offers state-level programs for veterans and their families, including a Women Veterans Program, employment assistance, entrepreneurship support, long-term care services, and the Oklahoma Veterans Registry, which helps connect veterans with available resources and outreach opportunities.
Veterans seeking more information can contact the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs at 405-523-4026 or visit oklahoma.gov/veterans.gov
About the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs:
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) delivers high-quality care, benefits, and support to Oklahoma veterans and their families through programs such as State Veterans Homes, Claims & Benefits, OKVetWorks, Women Veterans, Health & Wellness, Mental Health, and the Veterans Registry.

The Scottish Rite Temple located at 900 E. Oklahoma Avenue in Guthrie has served multiple functions in Oklahoma history, including as the first state capitol building, as a location for TV and film production and as a site used by Freemasonry for educational and gathering purposes.
On April 22, 1889, Harper Samuel Cunningham, 33°, made the Run of the Unassigned Lands which opened for settlement. He came to practice law in the newly opened Territory. And he came to establish the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in what would soon become Oklahoma.
Designed for the use and benefit of the Masonic Fraternity in Oklahoma, the original Temple was situated at the northeast corner of Harrison and Broad Streets in downtown Guthrie. It served the Masons well from 1899 to 1923.
The original building in this complex, now named the East Annex, was constructed in 1908 by the city of Guthrie and called Convention Hall. It was intended as the meeting place for the Oklahoma State Legislature. It was a rectangular brick structure with two two-story wings flanking a two-story atrium having a gallery promenade. A basement completed the internal space.
The East Annex was used for one regular session of the Legislature in 1909 and one special session in 1910.
After the Legislature agreed to move the state capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City in 1910, the city of Guthrie offered to sell the Convention Hall complex, including Capitol Park, to the Scottish Rite Masons, who wanted to construct a temple in Guthrie.
A deal was concluded with the Parr & Hawk, an Oklahoma City architectural firm, to design the western building (designated as the Temple), and the James Stewart Construction Company began construction in May 1920. Construction of the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple was completed in 1924, at which time the Masons occupied the building, though interior finishes were not finalized until 1929.
It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The Scottish Rite is one of the most widely practiced rites within Freemasonry, comprising 33 degrees that build upon the ethical teachings of the first three degrees conferred in Blue Lodges. The Scottish Rite emphasizes moral and philosophical education, allowing members to deepen their understanding of Freemasonry and its values.
The Scottish Rite Temple is a significant Masonic building that serves as a center for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, offering education, fellowship, and community service.
“We’re like a college-level class of the usual Masonry that you see in hometown lodges,” Masonic Rite Temple General Secretary Glen Chaney said. “We have a continuation of the same purpose, which is to take good men and make better men. We are a philosophy, not a religion. We require that our members be eligible, that they do believe in a god, a greater spirit. We do not dictate who that is or what that is. It must be a force of good that all humankind has a soul that is immortal. And past that, we leave religion to individuals. What we do is try to make this world better.”
Chaney said the Scottish Rite takes Masons through philosophical degrees and ceremonies and teaches lessons of moral and integrity through theatrical team performances.
“We in Guthrie are very proud because we are the mecca for this level of Masonic instruction,” Chaney said. “We have been the guiding light that other people come to see how we do it.”
Chaney said Masons come from across the country as well as far away as Brazil, Canada and Germany/
“We’re one of the few temples that do all 29 degrees. We do that once a year. That takes three days,” Chaney said. “We have theatrical teams for each of those degrees, and they come in and do that. We call that drinking from the fire hydrant of knowledge because it just knocks you down, overwhelms you.”
Chaney said each fall they do a two-day version of instruction, which encompasses 14 degrees.
Tim Heaton, Facilities Manager, said the Temple is large enough to house the Masons while in Guthrie.
“This building’s so huge that we just have the space,” he said.
Heaton said the housing includes 19 apartments plus other bed spaces throughout the Temple.
“They look like Warren and June Cleaver’s bedroom with an ensuite. Completed in 1952. They still look like 1952,” he said. “They’ve been featured in several movies.”
Heaton said they feed members on-site as well as eat at various Guthrie restaurants.
Heaton said public Temple tours take place Monday to Thursday at 10 a.m.
“People from every walk of life like to find out, want to come see this place,” he said. “We get a lot of Masons from around the country as well who know this place and it becomes a destination for them to come see.”
The Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie has served as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, including the 2020 film “Reagan.”
“They (film crew) built the (replica) of the Oval Office here,” he said.
Heaton added that the Temple served as the backdrop of the White House for the “Reagan” movie, as well as scenes replicating a train station.
The Scottish Rite Temple has members that are Veterans, including Chaney an U.S. Army Veteran.
“A number of our members are Veterans,” he said. “Masonry is something that is appealing to Veterans. I have seen young men that came in and they didn’t know what they’re getting into and suddenly, it’s like the whole world is lit up and they could see so many avenues for thought, for service in the community, for just being a better person.”
Chaney said becoming a Mason was a defining moment in his life.
“This has been, for me, one of the most defining aspects of my life,” he said. “It’s made me look at the way I treat the world and try to do a little better.”
For more information about the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple call (405)282-1281 or visit www.guthriescottishrite.org. • by Van Mitchell, staff writer