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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9/11 Steel Beam Traveling for USA 250

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

By Freddy Groves

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Nightmares or difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Sudden anger, irritability, or emotional outbursts

• Avoidance of crowds, holidays, or even family events

• Startling easily at loud noises, like thunderstorms or fireworks

• Feelings of guilt or shame when talking about their service

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

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

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

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

• Asking permission before assisting with personal care

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

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

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

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

• Medication reminders and coordination with VA or other providers

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

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

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

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

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

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