What an honor and a privilege to be part of the inaugural Chaplain’s Corner segment. My name is SFC (Ret.) George Shafer, and I am the Chaplain for The American Legion LeBron Post 58 in Guthrie, OK.
I recently graduated seminary with a capstone thesis about online ministry and American Veterans. During the research phase of development, I felt as though the Lord directed me to Matthew chapter 8 verses 5-18 which states: “When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.’ And the servant was healed at that very moment.”

Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV)

This passage is fascinating for several reasons. First, the geographical context of Capernaum at this time being “an important fishing village and commercial center…As a major city on the trade route, it had a Roman battalion, and one of the centurions approached Jesus.” Osborne and Arnold also believe that the centurion would have been either Syrian or Roman, and notes that the relationship between Romans/Syrian and the Jews was highly contentious.
Furthermore, this passage is the only one in Matthew’s gospel that “Jesus marvels at anything.” Jesus marveled at the faith of the centurion! But this passage gets even better; especially when we view this interaction within the scope of evangelism and missions. Osborne notes that “the miracle happened as much for the centurion as for his slave, and that in this, salvation has come not just to Israel but for the nations, so that the universal mission is found here in embryo.”
Did you catch that? Whereas we understand that the first Gentile conversion occurs in Acts under the command of God to Peter after his vision, here we find the Son of God himself carefully cultivating and preparing the way for Gentile inclusion… through a soldier.
If you are reading this and are struggling with your faith; perhaps the transition from soldier to civilian has been too much. Maybe you’re like me and your time in the military left you with scars, both visible and invisible. But I want you to know that He sees you. He hears you. He knows you and He completely understands you. The Gentile ministry that Jesus began with the Centurion over two thousand years ago in an embryonic state was not still-born but rather is alive and well in the pursuit of YOU.
I pray this message has encouraged you in your faith. If you have not yet considered the path of a faith-driven life, I would encourage you to stop by your local veteran service organization (The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, etc.) and speak to the local chaplain. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you in all you do today!
by Rev. George F. Shafer, SFC (Ret.), M.Div., B.S., Chaplain (TAL Post 58)

While drilling reservists enjoyed fun and food at Tinker AFB, veteran friendly businesses explained their services to customers in Piedmont on May 3rd.

Reservists and family of the 507th Air Refueling Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command, unit equipped KC-135 unit, enjoyed their annual Family Day in Hanger 1030. They ate hamburgers, played on air-inflated slides and bounce houses, looked at classic cars and of course, showed off their refueling tankers. Other static display aircraft on hand: a C-5 and C-17 cargo airplane and a T-1, T-6 and T-38 trainer.
What is Family Day? Event planner 1Lt Kennedy Humprey, 465th Aircraft Refueling Squadron, shared that it is “To show our families what we do as military members.” 1Lt Nick Pratt, also with the 465th, added, “Show appreciation to the families because it’s all for them.” Humprey said he expected 1,000 people to attend.
Reservists like what they do. “I like working on the planes that refuel our fighter and other combat mission aircraft, plus I enjoy exploring the world,” said MSgt Trevor Hardesty, a member of the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. MSgt Lindsey Newton, the Engineering Squadron’s First Sergeant, said she likes serving in the 507th “because the people (reservists) are like family.”

Twenty-nine organizations manned tables offering services and products, such as 72d Air Base Wing’s Military Family Readiness Center and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, DoD’s Integrated Prevention & Resilience Office, VFW Post 8706 (Moore), and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. “I come because I want to help families with resources,” said Crystal Garcia with the Employee Assistance Program at Tinker AFB.
Gerardo Guzman, a 30-year retired Army Sergeant First Class, came because his son is a member of the wing. “My wife and I were proud for my son…” joining the Air Force Reserves.
According to the 507 ARW website (https://www.507arw.afrc.af.mil/About-Us/), “The wing operates and maintains eight KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft providing world-wide aerial refueling to U.S. and NATO aircraft in times of peace, war and national emergency” and “…consists of three subordinate groups and 11 squadrons while employing more than 1,200 men and women.”
Meanwhile, in Piedmont, the 4th Annual VetsFest 2025 was in full swing (with guitars, drums and keyboards) at the Piedmont Veterans Event Center. The Piedmont Area Veterans Association (PAVA)

( https://pavavets.org ), hosted the event. The Caroline Grace and J. Rod Wald bands played country music while Atlantis Aquarius entertained with psychedelic 60s style rock and roll for 300 people that attended. Grace joined the Atlantis Aquarius’ six band members to provide more vocals.
Twenty-five veteran-owned and veteran-connected businesses (colleges with veteran student services, etc.) came from throughout Oklahoma. Patriot Automotive of Piedmont is owned and operated by Jeremy Hays and John Leahr. Hays was a five-year U.S. Navy medical corpsman and Leahr is a 15-year drilling reservist with the 160th Oklahoma National Guard (U.S. Army). Hays said they wanted a booth to “let people know we are here to serve our community. You bring it in and we’ll fix it,” meaning vehicles of all makes, models and ages.
Ella Jefferson-Speed, founder and CEO of Soul Survivor Supportive Living Foundation, came to bring awareness to the organization. She is a 10-year U.S. Army veteran. She uses her experience to help “women with societal barriers like disability, homelessness, justice involved (jailed) and sobriety services.” The Soul Survivor handout says it’s a “501©3 that is dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and loving drug-free temporary home-solution for Veteran Women…” She estimated serving 25 women in 4 years.
Josh Cain was the lead event planner and is a PAVA board member. He said, “PAVA has done a lot of traditional things, for instance, (having) veterans affairs representatives, but beyond that, we are dynamically active in unique ways.” Holding VetsFest is one unique way. It allows them “to support veteran owned businesses and to celebrate veterans.” He said the event was a success because the overwhelming number of vendors were happy with the number of customers who engaged with them. Referring to event sponsors Ascent Midstream Partners, F&M Bank, Edward Jones and Express Employment International, Cain said, “I can’t say enough good things about how these guys care.” story/photos by Richard Stephens, Jr., Lt. Col, USAF Retired

The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced the appointment of Stephen Evangelista as the Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Operations. In this role, he will oversee SSA’s nationwide network of offices that provide frontline and support services to millions of customers each year. This includes oversight of more than 1,200 field offices serving communities across the country, as well as 23 teleservice centers assisting the public on the phone.

Stephen Evangelista has over 25 years of experience in executive leadership roles at SSA. He has held various leadership positions within the agency, most recently serving as the Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Policy in the Office of Law and Policy. His record of achievement includes developing and implementing an enterprise strategy to unify SSA’s more than 3,000 data matching agreements, resulting in improved program administration.

“Stephen’s proven track record of leadership and his dedication to public service make him an excellent choice for this critical role,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “His deep knowledge of the agency’s programs will be an asset as we continue to improve customer service while safeguarding Americans’ hard-earned benefits.”

Stephen Evangelista succeeds Doris Diaz, who had been serving as the agency’s Acting Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Operations since January 2025. Under her leadership, SSA implemented several customer-focused improvements, including expediting over $14.8 billion in retroactive payments to more than 2.2 million individuals under the Social Security Fairness Act.

“I am grateful to Doris for her outstanding leadership of the Office of Operations,” added Dudek. “She delivered transformational improvements in the agency’s operations, and millions of Americans’ lives are better because of her service.”

For more information, please visit the SSA’s Communications Corner at www.ssa.gov/news.

On March 29, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day designated to honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam War veterans, the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) held its ninth annual service commemoration pinning ceremony.
This day was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. military units from South Vietnam in 1973. The ceremony at OHC was a tribute to the service men and women who served in any branch of the US Armed Forces anywhere in the world during the Vietnam War era.
The free and open-to-the-public event occurred in the Devon Great Hall of the OHC, with the Capitol in the background, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The ceremony began with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 145th Army Band sharing patriotism through music.
Former Oklahoma Representative Gary Banz, now director of the Villages OKC Veteran and Patriot Initiative, welcomed the 200 people who gathered that day. The recognition pins were to honor any U.S. veteran who served on active duty or in the reserves in the U.S. Armed Forces from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, Vietnam or otherwise. Family members of any veteran unable to be present were also to receive a pin.
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director, retired Rear Admiral James “Jay” Bynum, delivered the keynote address. In his speech, he put the war and the soldiers’ contribution to freedom in perspective, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of the veterans and the importance of remembering their service.
“Today, March 29, holds a profound place in our nation’s history—it marks the 50th anniversary of the official disestablishment of the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, and the departure of the last U.S. combat troops in 1973,” Bynum said. “This day also saw the release of the final group of acknowledged prisoners of war from Hanoi—a poignant moment in the long and difficult road toward healing after the Vietnam Conflict.”
“While we gather to reflect on this date, we also look ahead to April 30, when we will mark 50 years since the fall of Saigon in 1975. That event brought the Vietnam War to its conclusion and, for many, represented both an ending and a beginning—a time for reflection on the sacrifices of those who served. These intertwined dates in March and April remind us of historical milestones and the enduring resilience of the men and women who served during this challenging chapter in our nation’s history.” Bynum was a career F/A-18 pilot deployed to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The event was further steeped in patriotism when retired Navy Captain John Keilty, who heads up the Junior ROTC at Del City High School, inducted two of his senior cadets into the service. He mentioned they had performed with others in more than 300 honor guard presentations during their high school career.
“One of the greatest privileges a commissioned officer has is to be able to give a recruit or a Sailor the oath to defend and protect the Constitution,” Keilty said in an interview. “And being able to induct Sebastian Stanton, the Cadet CO headed for the Marines, and to Eva Black, the Cadet XO, was such an honor that I will cherish forever.”
Eva Black signed on to be a gunner’s mate in the Navy, while Sebastian Stanton signed on to be a small arms machinist in the Marine Corps. “Our Military will continue to be the best in the world when we enlist outstanding young men and women like Sebastian and Eva,” Keilty said.
The event also featured speakers and many former soldiers with their color guard representing the South Vietnamese community.
Vietnamese refugees arrived in Oklahoma City after Saigon’s fall, significantly transforming the city’s cultural landscape. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Vietnamese population in Oklahoma City increased from 2,000 in 1975 to 10,000 by 1990, a testament to the war’s lasting impact.
The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act designated March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day, to be commemorated with annual nationwide events. The act stipulates that only Vietnam War veterans and their families are recognized.
The Vietnam War saw 58,286 Americans killed in action, 155 Medal of Honor winners, and still lists 1,615 soldiers as missing in action. The Missing Man Table, sometimes called the “Fallen Comrade Table,” was displayed. It reminds viewers of fallen, missing, or imprisoned U.S. Military service members.
The commemoration ceremony continued in recognition of the services represented by having the service members gathered stand service by service. The branches were represented by 3 Marines, 12 Navy, 20 Air Force, and 30 Army service members in the audience.
The crowd honored the service members as Banz read out their names and service details, including their highest rank, to those assembled individually. Each veteran had their veteran lapel pins affixed by Del City High School Junior ROTC members as a lasting memento of the Nation’s thanks.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served in this time frame.
One historical quote helps put the event in perspective.
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Michael Brazelton’s (four-time Silver Star recipient and former Vietnam War POW) said at the July 8, 2015 Congressional Ceremony on the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin “I have had a number of medals pinned on me in my day and this is certainly the highest ranking and the most honors I have received for any pinning ceremony. Even though it might just be a lapel pin to a lot of people, this is like a medal to the Vietnam veterans.” story/photo by Darl Devault, contributing editor

When your life is in danger, some memories don’t go away, even if they occurred 81 years ago. Like firing twin .50 caliber machine guns at Nazi airplanes from the ball turret underneath a B-17 Flying Fortress.
“I hit a Messerschmidt (fighter) one day. He was gone away from me and of course, when they get by, they turn their belly up – they’re armor-plated on the bottom. I could see some tracers going off from him. I never got him down. He (fighter) was a longways away. He had come through our (bomber) group once and got away but he didn’t come back,” explained Richard D. Lawrence, a 102-year-old WWII veteran.
Lawrence was at Oklahoma’s State Capitol in the Hall of Heros to receive the Oklahoma Cross of Valor from Governor Kevin Stitt. Part of Stitt’s address included the following. “His story is one of grit and courage and unbelievable bravery. He answered the call to serve during a time of war, was taken captive by the enemy and he came home with his honor intact. That strength comes from a love of country, a sense of duty, and unbreakable spirit. In Oklahoma, we believe in honoring our heros and we have a real-life hero with us today.”
Lawrence wasn’t alone – lots of family, friends, State Representatives and Senators, uniformed military and veterans gave him a standing ovation when he was called up to get the Cross of Valor enclosed in a glass case.
Others have formally thanked Lawrence too, including a French Counsel who gave him the French Legion of Honor and the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation, who inducted him into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Honor.
Before the ceremony, Alfonso Garza, the Veterans Mental Health Program Administrator with Oklahoma’s Department of Veteran Affairs (ODVA), asked R.D. if he had any advice. His answer? First, take it one day at a time. Second, trust in the Lord with all your heart.
When R.D. got home from the war, he went right to work harvesting crops. No two-week vacation swapping war stories at the bar to relax after the ordeal. In a conversation with Galen Culver of the KFOR television station, he recalled, “I got home on my mother’s birthday, June 15th, 1945, and we started cutting wheat that afternoon.’” He married his high school sweetheart, Joanne, right away too – 11 days later.
They had three children: Richard, Julie and Leanna, who were at the ceremony. Leanna, whose married name is Turney, said, “I had wonderful parents…parents that went to everything we went to (activities).”
The ODVA shared a biography that explains Lawrence’s postwar time of peace. “A proud steward of the land, he continues to live and manage the farm, recently keeping busy clearing fields from the seat of his Polaris”…He served “on the boards of the Farmers’ Cooperative of Wakita, the Wakita School Board, and as a longtime Director of Citizens Bank of Wakita. His dedication to agriculture was honored with the title of Oklahoma Farmer of the Year at the Oklahoma State Fair. A man of faith, he served over 60 years as an Elder at both Fairview Christian Church and Wakita Christian Church. In retirement, RD took up golfing and played daily into his early 90s-always with the same group of friends, and more often than not, he came home the winner.”
James Neal of the Enid News & Eagle sat down with R.D. in 2011 and wrote the following. “Today, he remembers those who didn’t make it home as the true heroes from history’s largest war. Their ranks included Lawrence’s brother, Burke, an aircrewman who was killed while on a training flight shortly after the war’s end…Lawrence said, ‘They were all heroes, I thought, those boys who didn’t make it home.’” story/photos by Richard Stephens, Jr., Lt. Col, USAF Retired

Portion of Citation of Appreciation from the Oklahoma State Legislature to Technical Sergeant Richard D. Lawrence.
———————————————–
Whereas, on June 7, 1944, while on a mission to destroy marshalling yards in Budapest, Hungary, R.D. Lawrence’s plane took a direct hit, and he was forced to parachute out. He was captured a week later and held as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft IV Prison Camp in Gross Tychow, Pomerania (now Tychowo, Poland) and later forced on a 500-mile death march. On May 2, 1945, he was liberated by the British soldiers and returned to Enid just in time for harvest.

With over 90 miles of trails weaving through the area, Oklahoma City’s numerous parks are a haven for walkers, joggers, and hikers alike. While the green urban spaces invite exploration of the hidden gems and points of interest throughout the city, one must-see landmark for visitors – day or night – is the iconic Skydance Bridge.

Arriving late in the afternoon, we parked on SW Second Street before heading south on foot through Scissortail Park, named after Oklahoma’s state bird – the scissor-tailed flycatcher. Our destination was the 380-foot-long pedestrian Skydance Bridge that spans I-40 and connects the north (40-acre) and south (30-acre) portions of the park. Opened in 2012, the state bird also inspired the bridge’s design with its striking V-shaped steel sculpture towering nearly 200 feet above the walkway, resembling the flycatcher’s distinctive forked tail feathers.

After admiring the bridge, we continued through the park and surrounding area waiting for sunset since the bridge is especially stunning when lit by LED lights during the evening. But there was no shortage of dazzling sights to fill the remaining daylight hours, including a walk around a lake with surrounding trees teeming with colorful chirping birds. Rental pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks glided slowly over the water as their occupants absorbed the relaxing view dominated by Oklahoma City’s tallest building. The sleek 50-story Devon Tower, also completed in 2012, is a skyline scene stealer with its reflective glass exterior. The Vast Restaurant occupies the top two floors offering both meals “sourced from local producers” and spectacular views of the city.

Myriad Botanical Gardens, just a couple of blocks north of the park off Reno Street, was intriguing. Since originally conceived by city leaders in the late 1960s, the 17-acre plot most recently underwent an $11 million renovation in 2022 and features immaculate landscaping, a children’s garden, a restaurant area, fountains, sculptures, and the dazzling Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory encased in a shell of over 3,000 translucent acrylic panels housing an impressive exotic plant collection.

The “Taking Flight: Light as a Feather” art piece, installed 2 years ago at the north end of Scissortail Park, was a delightful surprise find. The 6-ton 31-foot-tall metal sculpture is the artist’s vision of a delicately curved feather gently floating earthward. Stunning any time – and especially at night when fiber optic lights illuminate its intricate details – the sculpture truly comes to life just prior to sunset when we happened to walk past. As the sun hung in the darkening sky behind the sculpture, its dying rays filtered through the figure highlighting the steel bars comprising the feather’s ribs, offering an inspiring picture-perfect moment we were lucky to experience.

For many visitors, however, the star of Scissortail Park will be the illuminated Skydance Bridge straddling the busy Interstate below. The remotely controlled lights, programmable for holidays and special events, displayed a vibrant deep blue glow during our visit, dramatically highlighting the structure’s sweeping design. But the color varies from night to night. When viewed from the bridge’s south end and set against the backdrop of city lights, it was the perfect conclusion to our 2-mile urban nature walk around Oklahoma City.

story and photos by Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. His hiking column describes short trails, hikes, and walks from around the country that seniors might enjoy while traveling. See www.ItsAWonderfulHike.com.

Ronald Reagan, originally an American actor and politician, became the 40th President of the United States serving from 1981 to 1989. His term saw a restoration of prosperity at home, with the goal of achieving “peace through strength” abroad.

At the end of his two terms in office, Ronald Reagan viewed with satisfaction the achievements of his innovative program known as the Reagan Revolution, which aimed to reinvigorate the American people and reduce their reliance upon Government. He felt he had fulfilled his campaign pledge of 1980 to restore “the great, confident roar of American progress and growth and optimism.”

On February 6, 1911, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born to Nelle and John Reagan in Tampico, Illinois. He attended high school in nearby Dixon and then worked his way through Eureka College. There, he studied economics and sociology, played on the football team, and acted in school plays. Upon graduation, he became a radio sports announcer. A screen test in 1937 won him a contract in Hollywood. During the next two decades he appeared in 53 films.

From his first marriage to actress Jane Wyman, he had two children, Maureen and Michael. Maureen passed away in 2001. In 1952 he married Nancy Davis, who was also an actress, and they had two children, Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott.

As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan became embroiled in disputes over the issue of Communism in the film industry; his political views shifted from liberal to conservative. He toured the country as a television host, becoming a spokesman for conservatism. In 1966 he was elected Governor of California by a margin of a million votes; he was re-elected in 1970.

Ronald Reagan won the Republican Presidential nomination in 1980 and chose as his running mate former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador George Bush. Voters troubled by inflation and by the year-long confinement of Americans in Iran swept the Republican ticket into office. Reagan won 489 electoral votes to 49 for President Jimmy Carter.

On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office. Only 69 days later he was shot by a would-be assassin, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. His grace and wit during the dangerous incident caused his popularity to soar.

Dealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense forces led to a large deficit.

A renewal of national self-confidence by 1984 helped Reagan and Bush win a second term with an unprecedented number of electoral votes. Their victory turned away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro.

In 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.

In foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve “peace through strength.” During his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union. In dramatic meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiated a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Reagan declared war against international terrorism, sending American bombers against Libya after evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers in a West Berlin nightclub.

By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flow of oil during the Iran-Iraq war. In keeping with the Reagan Doctrine, he gave support to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and Africa.

Overall, the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and the goal of peace through strength seemed to be within grasp.