Multiple news outlets reported an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was damaged or destroyed between March 27-29, 2026, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. The likely cause was Iranian missiles and/or drones, according to Air and Space Forces Magazine, Microsoft Network (MSN), The Defense News and others. Images confirmed significant structural damage, including to the rear fuselage.

A request was sent to USCENTCOM for information on whether an E-3 was damaged and if any U.S. military or civilians were hurt in the attack but no response was received by presstime. As of April 25, 2026, nothing on the subject is posted on their website. Not providing information like this is routine for operational security reasons to deny enemies useful information.

A March 28 Air and Space Forces (AFA) news release stated, “The attack injured more than 10 service members, two seriously. Among the other planes damaged are aerial refueling tankers… The image appears to show one of the E-3s stationed at the Saudi base, based on runway signage and aircraft markings. Six E-3s had been stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base before the incident, according to open-source flight tracking data.”

A MSN.com report from April 4 said, “The strike also damaged at least two US refueling aircraft and wounded 12 personnel, two seriously…With only 16 operational aircraft and a mission-capable rate of about 56%, the fleet is already under strain. Experts warn the loss will hamper the Air Force’s ability to manage battlefields, deconflict airspace, and deliver coordinated effects in ongoing operations.”

The AWACS aircraft are critical components of the Joint Force Air Component Commander’s arsenal during combat operations like Operation Epic Fury. The Air Force has flown AWACS planes since the late 1970s to provide command and control and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. They were used extensively in Operation Desert Storm, the Kosovo war, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for Operation Inherent Resolve.
“The loss of this E-3 is incredibly problematic, given how crucial these battle managers are to everything from airspace deconfliction, aircraft deconfliction, targeting, and providing other lethal effects that the entire force needs for the battle space,” said Heather Penney for the AFA Magazine. She is a former F-16 pilot and director of studies and research at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. “The value of the E-3 and the battle managers is they see the big picture,” Penney said. “They’re the chessmaster, while [fighter pilots] are the bishops.”

Lee McCullum, a former 552nd Air Control Wing (552 ACW) radio operator for the AWACS and VFW Post 7192 member, said, “I don’t think we planned it right. We did know that Iran was going to hit the neighboring places, states, or whatever. I wish they would move to E3 back somewhere (perhaps) Aviana, Italy.” His hopes and prayers go out to the members and families affected. Veterans of Operation Desert Storm remember Iraq fired numerous SCUD missiles at military installations in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh. History repeated.
The MSN.com article also stated, “Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that Russian satellites photographed the Saudi base multiple times in the week before the attack and shared the imagery with Iran. He argued this pattern indicated deliberate targeting preparation, though NBC noted no direct evidence was provided.”

The 552 ACW operates E-3s at Tinker AFB. The wing reports to 15th Air Force headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, SC. According to an USAF Fact Sheet posted online, the wing consists of four subordinate units: the 552nd Operations Group, the 552nd Maintenance Group, the 552nd Air Control Group, and the 552nd Training Group. “The 552nd Maintenance Group directs logistics support of 27 E-3 AWACS aircraft (several news outlets state there are 16 aircraft in the inventory) valued at $9.2 billion. The
group supports all E-3 sorties enabling aircrews to fly 20,500 hours annually from numerous locations world-wide.”

A USCENTCOM fact sheet dated April 1 states more than 13,000 combat flights have been flown (jet, helicopter, drone, etc.) and 12,300 targets struck and 155 or more Iranian
vessels damaged or sunk.

For more information about Operation Epic Fury, go to www.airandspaceforces.com and major news sources. • Story by Lt. Col. Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret. website: Rich Travel Niche

story by Darl Devault, contributing editor

For the statewide free Oklahoma Veterans News Magazine to receive a Senate Citation of Recognition after just one year in print serves as powerful validation of its role in bridging the gap between state resources and the Veterans it serves.
Such recognition highlights the magazine’s value as a statewide communication
tool that unifies a community of over 300,000 Veterans.
Co-publishers Steve Eldridge and Veteran Steve Sibley worked together on
its creation for more than a year leading up to the publication’s first issue in May
2025.
This official validation of impact from State Senator Brenda Stanley (R-Midwest
City), who chairs the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, designates the
publication as a trusted source of information for the state’s military community.
This legislative commendation reinforces the magazine’s role as a “vital part of
the state’s identity,” officially acknowledging its mission to pay tribute to the service
and sacrifice of Oklahoma Veterans and their families.
All of this is because the magazine is attempting to help many Veterans who
are unaware of available benefits, such as sales tax exemptions. A recognized
statewide magazine acts as a critical partner in disseminating this essential
information and updates on benefits, services, and new laws, such as the PACT Act
and state-specific tax exemptions.
It also serves as a platform to raise awareness of Veterans-owned businesses
and encourage “patriotic Oklahomans” to support them.
The platform also promotes storytelling and community engagement. It helps
preserve the patriotic legacy by sharing stories of Veterans’ achievements. It
chronicles their sacrifice, fostering a sense of belonging and “collective pride”
across the state.
Its outreach for isolated Veterans continues to expand with over 600 distribution
points-including VFWs, American Legion posts, and VA clinics. This magazine
reaches Veterans who may not have easy access to digital information, partnering
with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) to feature leadership
and highlight state-run programs and ceremonies.
The content of the document follows:
THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
Citation of Recognition
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE OKLAHOMA VETERAN NEWS MAGAZINE;
COMMENDING ITS LEADERSHIP; AND DIRECTING DISTRIBUTION.
WHEREAS, Senator Brenda Stanley, Chair of the Senate Veterans and Military
Affairs Committee, proudly supports the mission of the Oklahoma Veteran News Magazine, the first statewide monthly free publication dedicated to serving Oklahoma’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families; and
WHEREAS, the magazine marks one year in print, reflecting its continued commitment to
informing, connecting and honoring those who have taken the oath to defend the United States;
and
WHEREAS, Oklahoma is home to major installations, including Altus Air Force Base, Fort Sill, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Tinker Air Force Base, and Vance Air Force Base, which play a vital role in national defense and serve as key economic drivers; and
WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Veteran News Magazine strengthens the military community by
sharing important information, connecting veterans to resources, and promoting awareness, respect, and appreciation for their service; and
WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Senate recognizes the importance of ensuring veterans and their
families have access to timely, accurate information and honors the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our freedoms;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA
LEGISLATURE:
THAT the Oklahoma Senate expresses its support for the Oklahoma Veteran News Magazine
and its mission to serve Oklahoma’s military and veteran community, and THAT co-publishers Steve Eldridge and Veteran Steve Sibley are commended for exemplifying
the spirit of “The Oklahoma Standard” through their dedication to veterans’ affairs and community service; and
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to
Steve Eldridge and Steve Sibley.
Signed April 22, 2026: Senator Brenda Stanley
Senate District 42

This issue represents our 1st anniversary edition! Twelve issues and still growing and changing to publish the best magazine each month. We can’t provide these things without our readers like you and sponsors.

The continued success of Oklahoma Veteran News Magazine depends on a strong, connected community—and that includes you. We encourage every reader to take a moment to support the businesses and organizations featured in this publication. These sponsors make it possible to share important stories, resources, and updates that serve veterans across our state. By choosing to do business with them, you’re directly helping sustain a platform dedicated to honoring and supporting those who have served.

If you find value in this magazine, consider spreading the word. Recommend Oklahoma Veteran News Magazine to local businesses, organizations, and community leaders who may benefit from reaching a veteran-focused audience. When more businesses step forward to advertise and partner with us, it strengthens our ability to grow, improve, and expand the content we provide.

This publication is more than just a magazine—it’s a voice for Oklahoma’s veteran community. It highlights achievements, addresses challenges, and connects individuals to vital resources. That kind of impact requires ongoing support from both readers and sponsors alike.

Your actions matter. Supporting our sponsors and introducing new ones ensures that this magazine continues to thrive and serve future generations of veterans. Together, we can keep this important resource strong, relevant, and available to all who need it.

As always, We encourage you to give us a call or send us an email and let us know how we are doing and how we can improve. Oklahoma Veteran News is published for you.
Sincerely,
Steve Eldridge and Steve Sibley

Story by Darl Devault, contributing editor

Oklahomans are invited to join Veterans May 14-17 at Mitch Park in Edmond to experience The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. This traveling wall honors the men and women who gave their lives in Vietnam or later died as a result of their service.
“I often enjoy walking in Mitch Park. Having the Wall that Heals there will remind me of the friends I lost during the war and the human cost of the war,” said retired Air Force Col. Chuck DeBellevue. “This will create a sacred and solemn place that helps bring a calmness to the memories of my kind and Vietnam Veterans and their families.”
DeBellevue, 80, retired to Edmond in 1998 after a distinguished 30-year military career and has since been an active speaker to members of the local and veteran communities. His story as the highly decorated last American air ace on active duty, with six aerial victories in 1972 in an F-4 Phantom
II above North Vietnam, is a source of patriotic pride and inspiration for all who hear it.
The Edmond VFW Post 4938 is hosting The Wall That Heals and is recruiting volunteers to assemble it. Through volunteer support, community partnerships, and public engagement, they invite everyone to take part in this shared act of remembrance.
The Mitch Park exhibit spans 375 feet in length and rises to 7.5 feet at
its apex, constructed of Avonite, a durable synthetic granite. It features 140 numbered panels supported by an aluminum frame.
Modern LED lighting illuminates the memorial so names can be read clearly both day and night. Visitors are welcome to do name rubbings of individual service members as a meaningful and personal way to honor those listed.
The Wall’s 140 panels contain the names of more than 58,000 Vietnam service members, 990 of whom are Oklahomans, ensuring accuracy and consistency with the original Memorial.
In addition to open viewing of The Wall, several special ceremonies and community events will take place during the four days. These moments honor specific groups, recognize service, and provide opportunities for reflection and remembrance.
May 14 – 9 a.m. Native American Vietnam Service Recognition Ceremony A ceremony honoring the service and sacrifice of Native American veterans and their Nations who served during the Vietnam War.
May 14 – 6 p.m. Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony
A long-overdue welcome home for Vietnam veterans, recognizing their service, sacrifice, and dedication.
May 15 – 6 p.m. HMONG SGU Recognition Ceremony
Honoring the Hmong Special Guerrilla Units who served alongside U.S. forces during the Vietnam War.

May 16 – 9 p.m. Light Up the Night – Oklahoma County MIA Tribute
A powerful evening tribute honoring the more than 100 Missing in Action service members from Oklahoma County during the Vietnam War. This ceremony will illuminate The Wall in remembrance of those who have not yet come home.
While traveling, the Walls That Heal are more accessible to many Oklahomans, highlighting their significance and encouraging community engagement. Oklahoma is graced with a permanent replica 80% the size of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., dedicated on Veterans Day 2013 in Enid. This replica was retired to Enid after traveling the country, measuring 380 feet long and 8 feet high at its tallest point, and made of anodized aluminum.
Gov. Mary Fallin proclaimed it Oklahoma’s Official Vietnam War Memorial. The memorial reminds patriots that freedom is not free, is open to the public and free of charge from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. year-round, encouraging ongoing engagement and respect.
The Wall stands at Woodring Regional Airport. “It is a somber reminder of those who gave their lives so we can live in freedom, and a tribute to honor our men and women who are serving or have served in the military,” said Gov. Fallin in 2013 at its dedication.
The Living Walls, located across the street from the Vietnam War Memorial in Enid, honor and remember our military heroes. It is dedicated to Oklahoma veterans, active duty, retired, MIA, those killed while serving, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, fostering pride and respect among visitors.
Just west of the site is the M.L. Becker Educational Center, a collection of permanent and temporary exhibits featuring patriotic, military and war-related memorabilia. The center won a 2019 Oklahoma Museums Association award for Education and Outreach. The center is open by appointment only for student groups, except on Vietnam Veterans Day and Memorial Days, when it is open all day.
Vietnam Veterans have been the focus of a groundswell of recognition over the past 14 years as the U.S. government has executed a sustained, multi-administration effort to provide “overdue recognition” to Vietnam-era Veterans.
The 50th Anniversary Commemoration
(2012-2025), authorized by Congress and launched in 2012, was designed to thank and honor the 9 million Americans who served on active duty between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975.
This congressional mandate’s primary objective was to “right a wrong” for Veterans who were often ignored or mistreated upon their initial return home.
In reaction to this effort, more than 11,000 local, state, and national organizations, such as the VFW, have partnered with the Department of Defense to host thousands of community-based events.
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 codified the nation’s commitment to Vietnam Veterans by establishing March 29 as National Vietnam War Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. Veterans Day.

That date was chosen because it marks the anniversary of when the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam, and the last prisoners of war were released in 1973. The act added March 29 to the list of days on which the U.S. flag should be specifically
displayed to honor these Veterans.
A central feature of the 50th-anniversary efforts has been the distribution of Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins in formal ceremonies as a “Token of Gratitude”: These pins, featuring the message “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You,” were presented at public ceremonies to provide a “welcome home” that many never received. Since 2012, more than 3 million. Veterans have been publicly thanked at more than 21,000 ceremonies.
Most importantly, recognition has also shifted toward addressing the long-term physical toll of the war with expanded health research and benefits.
The VA launched the Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study in 2016, the most comprehensive health assessment of this Veteran group since the 1980s, focusing on the impacts of Agent Orange and PTSD. And most recently, the new PACT Act integration at the VA in recent years has been offering toxic exposure screenings and expanded healthcare enrollment specifically for Vietnam-era Veterans.

Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Lakota Lancaster grew up far from the ocean in rural Okmulgee, Oklahoma, but now his work supports U.S. Navy missions and protects American interests worldwide.
From a young age, Lancaster developed an interest in aircraft and aviation. After graduating from Preston High School in 2021, he enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 45, a maritime patrol squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
Known as the “Pelicans,” the squadron operates the P-8A Poseidon. As an aviation electronics technician, Lancaster maintains and repairs electronic systems on the aircraft. His work supports missions such as anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and search-and-rescue operations that rely on the aircraft’s radar, communication, and sensor systems.
One of Lancaster’s favorite parts of the Navy is the opportunity to travel.
“You get to go everywhere,” said Lancaster. “It doesn’t matter if you’re on a fixed-wing platform or a boat.”
During Lancaster’s time in the U.S. Navy, he traveled to seven countries, collaborating with allied partners during exercises such as Sea Dragon 2026 in Guam. Lancaster plans to continue serving and hopes to advance through the enlisted ranks with the goal of becoming a master chief petty officer.
Sea Dragon is a U.S.-led, multinational exercise designed to train anti-submarine warfare tactics and to operate together in response to maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Across the country, state and local governments, nonprofits, certain tribes and other community organizations are going to share in a $112 million grant program for their work in veterans suicide prevention. The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (also known as SSG Fox SPGP) promotes outreach to identify veterans at risk, clinical services for emergency treatment, case management, baseline screening, education, peer support, help with connecting with benefits and more. Help can also be in the form of temporary income support, legal services, child care, financial counseling and fiduciary help.

And it works: Over 90% of veterans who got these services reported improvements in their mental health and well-being.

The grant organizations will work with local VA medical centers to verify that the individual is a veteran, has some risk factors (such as traumatic brain injury, recent loss, homelessness or history of abuse) and has been assessed as to the degree of risk of suicide.

Veteran suicide stats are, as they always have been, grim to consider. The national suicide report for 2025 says that the number of suicides have decreased (for 2023, the last year numbers were available). Specifically, 2023 had 44 fewer veteran suicides than in 2022. The report calls that an “encouraging” result — even though the number for 2023 was a whopping 6,398 veterans.

In an analysis of the stats, 61% of those veterans were not getting VA health care. The group most affected were veterans ages 18 to 34 with risk factors of homelessness, health problems and pain, with pain being the biggest risk factor.
\

To learn all the details about the SSG Fox SPGP grant program, see www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ssgfox-grants/docs/SSG-Fox-SPGP-Program-Guide-508.pdf.

If you (or a veteran you know) are at risk for suicide, call the VA crisis hotline at 988, then press 1. That’s all you need to dial. Or text to 838255. Or go online to chat at
www.veteranscrisisline.net. Somebody is there 24/7. It’s free and confidential, and you don’t have to be enrolled in VA health care or benefits.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc

Jason Young has long had a passion for music and has turned that passion into helping seniors and Veterans.
Young, who serves as marketing director for SYNERGY HomeCare in Oklahoma City/Tulsa, got his musical start with Ty England, who played for Garth Brooks.
“I was a tour manager, and I worked for guys like Chad Brock and Cledus T. Judd and Aaron Tippin. I toured for about 14 years with bands like Confederate Railroad and worked with Charlie Daniels and people like that,” Young said.
Young was born in Edmond. He currently resides in Yukon.
He started his musical career working for Nashville recording artists Ty England, Chad Brock, and Cledus T Judd. Young formed the Jason Young Band in 2009.
He has released 5 singles to Texas Radio “Long Way Home” – “The Moment” – “Under My Skin” – “Vinyl”-
“POOR” all charted in the Texas Radio Top 30. Since 2017 the single “Long Way Home” was used in the movie
An Evergreen Christmas (IMDB Credited). Their single “Crank It Up” was used in the Amazon movie Shut Up Anthony, (IMDB Credited).
In 2020, Jason Young, along with Cross Canadian Ragweed’s Grady Cross and Randy Ragsdale, formed Cross Rags And Young. Their first single “Family Name” spent 35 weeks on the Texas Charts, 12 weeks in the top ten and 5 weeks at No.3.
Their second single “Reckless” was their first #1 single on Texas Radio and spent more than 30 weeks on the chart. Cross Rags and Young were nominated for Best New Group from Texas Regional Radio and performed along with presenting at the Texas Regional Radio Music. In 2023 Jason became 1 of 5 Oklahoma Artists to represent the State Of Oklahoma Tourism Campaign Imagine.
In 2020 through 2022, Young and his wife Kerri adopted their two sons Charlie and Hudson.

“I was touring a lot and working a ranch. I wanted to be with those kids who were more important to me than this music dream I’d been chasing for 20 years,” he said. “And even though I was having some success in it, I ended up backing off. I wanted to find a real
job, and I knew I wanted to work around seniors.”
Young called a friend who worked for Physician Housecalls, and she happened to be having a networking event the next evening, so she invited him to attend.
“I didn’t even have a résumé,” he said. “I had to go home and get one together after the event, because I hadn’t had a real job in 20 years. I got five interviews that night. I met with Weama Kassem (SYNERGY Homecare owner) that next morning. It was my first interview. I was there for a couple hours. And when I left, I remember being in the parking lot, and I canceled all the other interviews. I knew that’s where I wanted to work. I knew I found a home.”
Young later took on an additional role as Veteran Advocate alongside Marketer Diane Young with SYNERGY. He went on to say, “One thing that inspired me even more was watching Weama Kassem’s love for her clients and veteran clients. She always goes out of her way for them and goes above and beyond. It’s like they are her family. Watching her and the SYNERGY team inspired me to do even more.”
“I’ve been raising money for Veterans off and on for many years and working around a lot of Veterans,” he said. “My grandfather, Tracy Titus, was a World War II Veteran, and he was always an inspiration to me. And so, I wanted to get involved even on a bigger level than what I was.”
Young said he started doing Veteran coffees at local American Legions though the state and was later invited to join the American Legion post in Mustang.
“I joined their group in Mustang, and at the time we were doing maybe three or four veteran coffees a month,” he said. “And one thing that was kind of itching at me was I’d be at these communities, and I would see that they didn’t do these coffees there, and a lot of these guys couldn’t get out. A lot of them were in assisted living, or independent living. They just didn’t want to or couldn’t leave the community.”
Young wanted to bring those coffee events to those communities.
He started visiting those communities and learning about their senior/Veteran residents.
“Every month, I have special guest speakers,” he said. “We did a show-and-tell that was amazing, where these Veterans bring something from their past, and they tell us their story. We’ve also done Veteran trivia about World War II and World War I, which was amazing. We are doing everything we can just to bring the Veterans together.”
Young said another thing they do for Veterans is present them with a challenge coin when they come on service with SYNERGY.
“So, I would give a presentation on the history of the challenge coin, then present them with their very own SYNERGY HomeCare challenge coin whenever they came on service with us,” he said. “I love seeing their faces when we give them that. I go to these events, and now I’m getting phone calls daily saying ‘Hey, my dad’s a veteran. I heard you could help.’”
Young’s next goal is to help create a local gathering space like the Coffee Bunker in Tulsa.
“I went into this place called the Coffee Bunker in Tulsa, and I was blown away. It’s all volunteer work. They’ve got VSOs. They have counselors. They deal with the homeless. They feed veterans lunch every day, donuts every morning,” he said. “They have a library. They have clothes. If you need something, they help you with it. It’s very moving when you’re there, and you’re seeing all these different Veterans come in and hang out all day long. The more I found out about this place, the more I wanted to be a part of it.”
Young has been promoting the idea for an Oklahoma City location.
“I’m excited about trying to get something like that here for our Veterans. I want to do everything I can for Veterans. For all they sacrifice and all they do for us,” he said.
. • by Van Mitchell, staff writer

Sacrifice. Duty. Remember. Visitors use words like these as they descend into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Located on the National Mall near the Korean War
Veterans Memorial and west of the Washington Monument, “The Wall” draws about five million visitors a year. Jim Knotts, President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, said, “For many years, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial just by itself has been in the top 10 of all national park sites, nationwide.”
The Memorial honors 58,281 men and women who served courageously and sacrificed their lives and those who remain missing in the Vietnam War during the most divisive war in U.S. history. The Vietnam Veteran Project recorded 2,709,918 Americans who served in uniform in Vietnam.
Members of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, a nonprofit organization, gathered private donations that funded and built the Memorial. Today, they continue to meet groups, like Honor Flights, and answer questions.

Paying Their Respects
George Gagan, a 20-year Navy Seabee from Dayton, Ohio, stood with his family and found the name of Marvin G. Shields who was killed in Vietnam and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
It’s an emotional experience for Ray Dilba of Cherry Hill, NJ, visiting for the third time. He enlisted from 1966-1969 and served in Da Nang as a Medical Service Specialist with an aeromedical evacuation unit. “I have to compose (myself) every time to reflect on what happened. I almost come to tears,” he said.
For veterans like Dilba, the names etched in stone are not abstract-they are friends, brothers, and fellow service members whose absence is still felt.

Design of the Memorial
In March 1981, a national design competition drew 1,421 entries. The winning concept came from Maya Ying Lin, then a 21-year-old senior at Yale University. Her vision was simple but powerful: a park within a park, a place set apart for quiet reflection.
Dedicated on November 13, 1982, the Memorial’s polished black granite walls cut into the earth, listing the fallen in chronological order. The first casualty in 1959 appears at the center, at the lowest point of the walkway. Names continue along the east wall toward the Washington Monument, then resume at the west wall near the Lincoln Memorial, concluding again in the center with those lost in 1975.
Knotts explained its design. “(The) Vietnam Veterans Memorial, ‘The Wall,’ as we call it, is sometimes called ‘The Wall that Heals,’ because so many of the Vietnam veterans or family members of those listed here begin their healing journey by coming here and visiting the Memorial.
“One of the purposeful aspects of this design is the choice of the solid black granite. The designer chose this for two primary reasons. One, because black is the color of earth and also because she knew that when it was highly polished, it would have this reflective nature. So, if you serve with someone or you’re a family member or just a visitor, you can come up, you can touch a name on the wall. And when you do, you’ll see your own reflection in the wall. So, it’s almost as if you are joining them to visit with them. But the hopeful part of the design is that at the end of your visit, you’ll go up one of the walkways, back above ground level, to the land of the living.”
Knotts estimates that half of all visitors were not even born when the Vietnam War ended 50 years ago. “Many of them don’t have a direct connection to the Vietnam War, but when they come to D.C., they always want to come to the war Memorial.”

Sister statues
Nearby is the Three Servicemen Statue by Frederick Hart, dedicated in 1984, depicting young, alert, weapon-carrying Vietnam soldiers. Hart said, “The contrast between the innocence of their youth and the weapons of war underscores the poignancy of their sacrifice…Their strength and their vulnerability are both evident.”
Nearby, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial from 1993, sculpted by Glenna Goodacre, honors women who served in Vietnam. The statue shows three nurses caring for a wounded soldier, reflecting the critical roles women played. Eight servicewomen died in Vietnam, and their names are inscribed on The Wall.

“The Wall that Heals” brings Americans and overseas visitors, those who served in our armed forces and civilians, together to connect, reflect and quietly honor American fallen men and women.
Learn more. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, https://www.vvmf.org/.
Vietnam Era Registry of Service, registry.vvmf.org.
Vietnam Veteran Project,
https://vietnamveteranproject.org/. Or scan the QRCODE below.

• story and photos by Lt Col Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret.

“I felt like I would be a failure if I got sent home and
didn’t complete basic (training)…I wanted to get the
benefits that the recruiting sergeant had told me about.
I wanna hang in for that. I was focused,” recalled Martha Louise Higgins, using a determined voice.
Born on January 15, 1931, in Clearwater, Florida, Higgins, now 95 years old, reflected on her military and civil service employment. Her enlistment occurred during the Korean War when only one-percent of Airmen were women.
Higgins gained knowledge and tenacity from teachers at her segregated elementary school, St. Matthew Baptist Church, and Pinellas High School in Clearwater, Florida. “I think growing up in Florida, they put a lot of confidence in us. That’s why it didn’t bother me going into the military. They had us thinking we could do anything we wanted to do. And we believed that…Because they knew what we were gonna be up against once we came outta high school.”
She graduated from high school in 1949, attended Florida A&M in Tallahassee for one year as a music major, then joined the Air Force.
Basic training
Basic military training was at Kelly Air Force Base (AFB), San Antonio, Texas. She remembered, “We had inspection every morning…we had to be in formation zero five hundred (5:00
a.m.). They didn’t play…You better time yourself… And there,
a lot of girls, they sent them crybabies home,” she said with emphasis. “You went to formation and…when they start roll call, there was a new girl on your right and maybe a new girl on your left…The sergeant would march us to breakfast. And after breakfast you had to go back to your quarters and get set up for inspection…” Lessons in discipline, time management and teamwork shaped her later service.
Preparing Military Pay
After basic training, Higgins transferred to Ent AFB, Colorado (closed in 1976), as a Disbursement Officer in the Finance Office. She explained the importance of pay accuracy. “We had a cutoff date to get our payroll ready because they knew when was payday. So, we couldn’t post anything on the cards (everything was done by hand) until you got it from personnel.”
Enlisted and officers had separate cards, each about 8” by 10,” organized by alphabet and by rank. Higgins remembers managing letters A through H.
She was the only female of the five Airmen in payroll.
She does not remember instances of sexism or prejustice; she just focused on the job. “They were very nice to me…They
just treated me like I was another Airman…You do your job and you’re rewarded for that…I wanted to get an honorable discharge.”
At Ent, she met and married Harvey Higgins of Luther, Oklahoma, on September 12th, 1953. She did not reenlist. Then Harvey, an active duty Airman, got a remote assignment and Martha went home to Clearwater.
Upon his return, and Martha now a military dependent, they were reassigned to Ent AFB, then Lockbourne AFB, Columbus, Ohio (closed in 1984). That’s where Steven and Timothy, two of her three sons, were born. Harvey’s next assignment took them to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in October 1964, near Adana.
Overseas Duty
Martha liked working, so she joined civil service as an intelligence coder during the Cold War. She worked in a rundown building. “I had to have a code to get in…And
then I sat at a teletype machine. But I sent out codes all day…They were classified. They cleared me to do that…I couldn’t decipher them…I didn’t know where they were going or who they were going to or what the information (was).”
The Higgins lived on the air base and went to the movies, the NCO Club and recreation center. To reduce their isolation, they drove to the Mediterranean Sea looking for Navy ships and by the American Embassy. “We were looking for the flag. Oh, we saw that flag and we just clap, clap,” she said excitedly, clapping her hands together. “We just clapped for anything that reminded us of home.”
Back in the United States, though, the military’s equality did not exist in civilian society.
Inequality
“I never went to an integrated school, said Higgins. “The first time I experienced integration was when I went into
the military…It (civil rights) was needed because it was so humiliating to us to think we had to get up outta our (bus) seat after we done paid our fare…There was no dignity in that. You going to get up outta your seat to give it to some person who was a different color than you? Now that was wrong.”
Love of Music
Higgins said, “I went back to school under the GI bill
and studied music…I studied music at Mercyhurst in Erie.
It’s a Catholic university.” She also used her musical talent commercially too.
“Oh Lord, Hear my Prayer” and other religious hymns
she wrote have been sold to music producers like Sheet
Music Plus in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Impressed by her vocal abilities, the Columbus Symphony, Columbus, Ohio, and the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, Erie, Pennsylvania, asked her to sing with the alto section.
Retirement
These days, at the Norman Veterans Center where Higgins lives, she plays the piano for chapel service and for the Knights of Columbus.
She’s proud of her three sons, Steven Higgins, who retired as an Army Lieutenant Colonel, Timothy Higgins, who repairs and installs refrigerators, and David Higgins, a retired Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2.
Higgins uses a walker but remains mobile. “I can do the twist and the electric slide!” she proudly exclaimed.
Would you like to watch Martha Higgins’ video with the “Making History Project” recorded August 8,
2021, by Patrick Russell, visit
https://making-history-project.com/ or scan this
QR CODE. •
story and photos by Lt Col Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret.

(Ret.) United States Army Master Sergeant Aaron Hudgins said the loss of his late wife J.J. Hudgins forced him to take a closer look at what his future mission in life would look like.
He found that mission through the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) where he serves as Director of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of TMF.
TMF unites communities to strengthen our nation by empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In 2007, 1st Lt Travis Manion, USMC, was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis’ legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, “If Not Me, Then Who…”.
Guided by this ethos, veterans continue their service, build connections with each other, and thrive in their post-military lives by serving as character role models to youth. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes lives on in the next generation.
Manion gave the ultimate sacrifice on April 29, 2007, on his second deployment to Iraq. While on patrol searching for a suspected insurgent house in Fallujah, Travis, his fellow Marines, and Iraqi Army counterparts were ambushed.
Manion led a counterattack against enemy forces, drawing fire away from his wounded comrades and allowing every member of his patrol to survive. For his actions, he was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor. Today, over 300,000 Spartans nationwide carry forward the legacy of fallen heroes like Travis by leading with character and living out the “If Not Me, Then Who…” ethos.
TMF Chapters are local volunteer groups led by veterans, families of fallen heroes, and inspired civilians who have a passion for the Travis Manion Foundation mission. Currently, TMF Chapters exist in nearly 40 locations throughout the country – identifying and executing local service projects and hosting events that connect and unite their communities. Chapters allow Spartans to expand the reach of TMF and engage with local volunteers to make a meaningful contribution to their surroundings while upholding the “If Not Me, Then Who…” ethos.
Their best-in-class programs are designed to develop, heal and bring together veterans, families of the fallen, youth and inspired civilians from all walks of life. From their Character Does Matter youth mentoring program to community service projects and service-based trips, TMF programs give Americans an opportunity to honor the legacy of fallen heroes through service.
JJ Hudgins was injured while training for her mission at Fort Bliss. She was medically discharged from the Army after a broken hip was deemed an “unrecoverable injury.”
She was home for just 10 days before passing away on April 28, 2018.
“The truth is that my involvement in this mission wasn’t shaped by one moment or one project. It was shaped by 26 years of service in the United States Army and, more importantly, by the personal tragedy of losing my wife, Jari J. Hudgins,” Aaron Hudgins said. “That loss changed my life and forced me to confront grief, purpose, and responsibility in a way I never had before.”
He continued, “The man I am today and the work I do through the Travis Manion Foundation, is the result of both those experiences. My military career taught me about duty, leadership, and sacrifice. Losing Jari taught me the weight of that sacrifice and the importance of honoring it by continuing to serve others.”
Hudgins said TMF’s service projects caught the attention of Ava Garrett, an 8-year-old from Guthrie who was inspired to make a financial donation to the Oklahoma Chapter of the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF).

“I got an email from a little girl, Ava Garrett,” Hudgins said. “I didn’t know her. Never met her. She has a business in Guthrie where she tags people’s front yards with logos. They (parents) drive around her neighborhood and takes donations, and then she’ll spray paint 1776 or USA or OU or whatever. She raised $600 in about a month. Well, she wanted to donate a percentage of her money to an organization. Somehow, she found out about us.”
Hudgins added, “With the help of her mom, I got a random text out of nowhere. She goes, ‘My daughter wants to donate some of her money to your organization,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, okay. Yeah, sure.’ When she told me how much it was, it was $200. I was like, ‘That’s a lot of money for a kid to give.’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, but she really wants to do this.’ I was like, ‘Well then, I will personally come down there,’ so I drove to her house.”
Hudgins said Ava presented him $200, which funded overnight bags for DHS foster kids through a TMF Edmond Santa Fe High School service project.
“The biggest thing that we do is legacy projects, which are service projects for the community that are built around honoring our fallen heroes,” he said. “While I’ve been doing it, every legacy project we do for the community,nd it could be anything. We put bags together for foster care kids. Because when they leave in the middle of the night, they don’t have anything with them. We put bags together that have a blanket, snacks, a stuffy, a nightlight, something that they could take with them that is theirs.”
Hudgins continued, “She (Ava) handed me over $200, and so that funded the entire overnight bags for the DHS foster kids. She funded that entire project, all herself. So, all the money that it took to put those bags together came from an eight-year-old little girl, and I was beyond touched. We brought her back so that she could see where that money went because I was like, ‘I want you to see this.’ So, when I brought her in, I didn’t tell her, and the entire girl’s pom squad was waiting for her. I made it a point to try to recognize her every chance I get because that’s such a profound gesture of service and gratitude to give back to an organization.”
He added, “We were so proud of the Teams of Character Pom Squad and the inspiring Ava Garrett, whose heart for service continues to make a real impact in our community. These young leaders represent exactly what it means to live out character in action.”
Hudgins said the Oklahoma TMF Spartans were recently recognized at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
“Yesterday was a powerful day at the Oklahoma State Capitol as the Travis Manion Foundation, Oklahoma Chapter had the honor of being with some amazing young leaders,” he said. “This was from our event last November where we honored fallen Oklahoma Hero SPC Sarina Butcher, the first female soldier from Oklahoma killed in action on 11 November 2011. I was also recognized as Veteran of the week.”
Hudgins said during their visit, their team had the opportunity to meet with multiple state representatives and spend time with Gov. Kevin Stitt sharing the mission of TMF and highlighting how Oklahoma youth are stepping up to lead through service.
“What stood out most wasn’t just the recognition, it was seeing the next generation confidently representing values that matter: character, service, and community,” he said. “Stories like Ava’s are important because they show the mission in action. But the deeper story is how service, loss, and resilience can shape a person’s life and drive them to help others find purpose and character in their own.”
For more information about the Travis Manion Foundation visit www.travismanion.org. • by Van Mitchell, staff writer