At the age of 89, Woodie Brod Sylvester of Weatherford, Oklahoma, was asked to write about his experiences during WWII. The result was a five-page military autobiography. It’s too long to print verbatim, but a summary of locations and activities are listed with several copied passages. Since the events took place 60 years ago, he didn’t remember all the details.

The big take away is that Woodie served in the US Army Signal Corps starting on April 10, 1942, for over three years – two-and-a-half of them in continuous combat conditions – without leaving the war front. During WWII, soldiers had to serve for the duration plus six months.

Woodie said, “I started out as a buck private (E-1) and I turned out to be the personnel Sergeant Major (E-6) of a battalion with 500 men,” a testament to his ability to increase responsibility and lead men in war. His life story is one of dedication to God, family and nation.
He was born on August 2, 1917, in Chilton, Texas, to Woodie Alvin and Ida Marie (Brod) Sylvester. On August 9, 1938, Woodie and Mattie Elizabeth Adams eloped and married. They birthed three children: son, Sam and two daughters, Jana and Sue after the war.

Below are short descriptions of his amazing duty.

Location Dates and towns identified

North Africa – Landed in Casablanca, Morocco, on Christmas Eve 1942.
On January 10, 1943, headed east towards Tunis, Tunisia. Woodie stated he was close to a soldier who stepped on a land mine and was killed; luckily, he was not hurt. In February 1943, his unit arrived at the Kasserine Mountains, where the Germans defeated the Americans and English in a major battle. Afterwards, General Patton arrived with the 3rd Army and they pushed the Germans out of North Africa.

Sicily – Sailed to Gela, Sicily. GIs gave food to hungry children. Marched to Palermo and made it there in about 31 days.

Italy – Landed on a beach north of Paestum, south of Pompeii, and fought in a battle. Afterwards, soldiers went up to tour volcano Vesuvius and made ash trays out of molten lava. Progressed north to Naples. Spent his second Christmas (1943) in Caserta. Marched to the monastery, Monte Cassino, in February 1944, and saw Allies bomb it. Proceeded north to Rome where Woodie and his company went to the Vatican and were given an audience with the Pope.
Corsica – Sailed to this island, preparing to invade France.

France – Sailed to St. Tropez, French Riviera. His unit joined other invasion forces, such as the 95th Infantry Division. Marched north, following the Rhone River, then moved between Lyon and Dijon. Reached Epinal. In late December 1944, his unit rested in Strasbourg, but retreated back to Epinal because of fears the Germans might win the Battle of the Bulge.

Germany – In 1945, crossed Rhine River and advanced to Heidelberg, then past Camp Dachau, infamous concentration camp. Woodie said they could smell Dachau for miles before they saw the camp but did not have any idea what the smell was. Arrived Darmstadt, and headquartered in the ruins of a university. Rotated back to Lubbock, Texas, in the summer and separated in October 1945.
Several passages of Woodie’s recollections are provided in this story.

North Africa – “The third echelon (of the signal battalion), which I was assigned to, sailed from Boston in early December, landing in Casablanca, Morocco, on Christmas Eve 1942…At Casablanca, we were housed in a warehouse and this would be the last inside housing for many, many months…We left Casablanca around January 10, 1943. Our company, “A,” laid landlines for communications between frontline troops and HQ. It was very cold and we were sleeping in pup tents on sandy grounds. We would sleep at night and in the morning would wash our clothing in gasoline to kill the (sand) fleas. We started to suffer casualties from mines and other actions. Mine fields were everywhere. Many civilian children and adults suffered from these mines as well as our own troops.

We moved daily…toward Tunis, Tunisia, keeping as much pressure on the German army as possible. As we advanced through the desert, we arrived at the Kasserine Mountains. The German army under the direction of German General Rommell was waiting with the powerful Mark 4 tanks. The allies experienced great losses of men and equipment until the American tanks under the direction on General Patton arrived.
At times, the moves were so fast the line crews could not string wire fast enough to keep up with Patton’s tanks. The wire being laid on the ground would break as fast as the line crews could put new wire in place due to tanks and half-tracks.

Italy – We finally entered Rome…So, some of us headed for the Vatican…We entered and were shown through the buildings and then told to be seated in a certain chapel. There were about 100 men in our group…and the Pope appeared and made a short statement. He spoke English quite well and also gave each man a cross to carry. This was a great honor…

France – The battalion…went into Strasbourg, France…We made our headquarters this time in a small hotel. Christmas of 1944 was only a few days away. We were supplied with all kinds of Christmas food, including fresh turkeys. About this time the Battle of the Bulge started and we were ordered to vacate and retreat at once back to Epinal. We destroyed all of our food supplies that we had received for Christmas.

Germany – On our way to Darmstadt, we passed the Camp Dachau where the Jewish people were confined…we could smell this camp but didn’t know about what was happening on the inside. Other troops came in and liberated these people that were nothing but walking skeletons.

I must comment that the men I served with were the “best”. Nothing could be said about them except “great-wonderful and they were like my brothers.”
Woodie earned a Bronze Star on 19 May, 1945. Other medals received: WWII Victory Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal, American Campaign Medal.

Texas – I met my wife, Mattie, at Temple, Texas. This ended my 3 1/2 years in the military and I never had a leave to go home prior to this date.

Woodie told his life story to Stephens in July 2022, two months before he died. Woodie strongly believed in marriage. “When we got married, that was a lifetime thing. It’s not anymore.” Woodie and Mattie were married for 72 years.

In 1965, Woodie and Mattie purchased and operated a theater and a drive-In theatre they built in Weatherford. He served as a Weatherford City Commissioner for nine years, bringing the 3M Company to Weatherford and developing Rader Park. He was very active in the Weatherford Rotary Club (a Paul Harris Fellow), Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, First Baptist Church and the American Legion Post 091 (a member for 65 years).

In 1980, Woodie and Mattie retired to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At the age of 105-years, Woodie died on September 11, 2022.

Woodie is survived by his son, Sam Sylvester, and wife, Gwyn of Eufaula; two daughters, Jana Hale and husband, Doug and Sue Nabors and husband, Tommy, all of Weatherford. •
story by Lt Col Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret., and CAPT Douglas Hale, USNR, Ret.

Memorial Service
Private Richard Gordon Wright, U.S. Marine Corps, born June 6, 1921, in Sparks, Oklahoma, was buried with military honors on July 18 at Dignity Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City. The ceremony began at 2 p.m., with cicadas loudly singing in the hot, still air.

Was that unusual?

Yes. Why?

Wright died on November 20, 1943, 81 years ago during WWII on Betio Island in the Gilbert Islands. His remains were not identified until February 8, 2024, by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and returned to Oklahoma City on July 11, 2025 – more than eight decades after his death.

As the service drew near, at least 75 people gathered in quiet respect. Members from American Legions (Posts 19, Woodward; 111, Edmond; 88, Norman; 142, Hominy, and others) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (Posts 4938, Edmond; 7977, Skiatook; 3077, Collinsville; 7180, Owasso, and others) came, as did those with no affiliation.

Although no one knew Wright personally, they came to witness the homecoming of a Marine who served his country with honor and gave his life for future generations.

Charli Ford, one of two historians and archivists of military history at the Hamilton VFW Auxiliary 4938 in Edmond (President Amanda Duncan is the other) gave the eulogy and thanked those who made Wright’s repatriation possible, including “the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) for their efforts to recover, organize, analyze and identify the remains of the missing. And a special thank you to Mr. (Narsease) Tolen, Richard’s first cousin, for the donation of the DNA while he was still alive. His DNA was used to positively identify Richard.” Her voice carried pride and emotion while she recounted Wright’s early life. Ford ended with, “After today,” Ford said, “Richard’s journey comes to a close… May we never forget Richard’s sacrifice.”

Chaplain Ed Beesley, a Vietnam War veteran and member of Post 4938, described how well Betio Island was fortified by the Japanese against a large-scale amphibious assault by Americans. Beesley continued, “I want you to understand the Marines did it in three days…it was a fierce battle…which would come to be known in the Marine Corps as ‘Bloody Tarawa.’ What struck me, is…our own Oklahoma Marine was a part of the first wave on that beach landing on the 20th November, 1943…My understanding was that Richard’s landing craft was hit by mortar fire…” Wright’s 2nd Marine Regiment, about 150 men, was almost annihilated that day.

The service concluded with a prayer, seven-gun salute provided by VFW District 5, the playing of taps, and a moving flag folding ceremony followed by presenting it to Ed Zink of Weaubleau, Missouri, who represented the family. Zink is a second cousin to Wright. The crowd slowly, quietly slipped away.

Wright’s family
Zink spoke of his family’s connection to Wright. “My mother’s mother (Zink’s grandmother) was the sister to Richard’s mother. They were sisters…George Ann and Sharon are Richard’s nieces and they knew about him. Their brother was named after him. So, they knew he was missing, they just never expected him to come home.”

“I’m honored to be able to represent the family and to acknowledge his military career, as short as it was.” Zink, a Marine, understands sacrifice. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and one in Thailand.
He praised the research Charlie Ford and VFW Post 4938 performed. “They’ve done a wonderful job. Charlie…has been unbelievable. She’s been on this case for several years. They went above and beyond.”

Identifying veteran remains
Amanda Duncan said, “We do a lot of work with MIAs, POWs. It is something our post and our auxiliary is very passionate about.”

She explained the meticulous process of identifying remains. “When something like this happens, first of all, they (DPAA) look at the service record and where they enlisted out of.” Other clues: where family lives(d) and where the deceased’s military unit was engaged in battle.

In Wright’s case, a relative was located in just a few days, though the full process – DNA testing, approvals, and transport – can take months. Ford described how she reached out to a family member through the Ancestry website after a relative built Wright’s family tree. “I noticed she had him on the tree… trying to see… what relation she was and if we could find somebody to give DNA.”

Private Wright is buried in the same cemetery as his father, Henry Wright, a World War I veteran, and grandfather and grandmother, William and Eva Wright.
There are 1,185 Oklahoma MIA/POW servicemen awaiting repatriation.
• story by Lt Col Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret.

There’s a lot to like at the 155-acre Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Ala.: USS Alabama, a WWII South Dakota Class battleship; USS Drum, a WWII submarine; Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion; 29 aircraft from WWII to the Cold War Era on the grounds; and four memorials to veterans. Whew! You’ll spend about four hours taking it all in.

USS Alabama

Since 1965, about 3.5 million people a year go on one to three self-guided tours (red, yellow, green) through four decks (floors, for landlubbers) of the ship from bow to stern (front to rear) to learn the story how her brave and dedicated crew helped win the war. Each tour takes about 45 minutes.

Peer into the rooms of bakeries, workshops, brig, intercom (communications), gunnery-aviation, and plotting (firing guns) and walk along seamen’s bunks (or “racks”) and the mess hall.

These areas have displays. There are original sailor uniforms in the quartermaster (supply) room; dishes, pots and pans in the galley (kitchen); and papers, family photos, uniforms and radios left behind in multiple offices; and medicine in the dispensary.

While touring the ship, Mike Thomas of Ft. Worth said he got a “better feel of what crewmen felt and how they existed. It’s like a mini-city.” True. The Alabama sailed with 2,500 sailors and Marines. For Larry Genson of Michigan and Dwanda Schwaz of Mobile, the informative displays and placards were useful. “I like to see how they lived; their food and quarters” Larry explained.

Special exhibits tell visitors about the USS Mobile, Iwo Jima 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy, 20mm Oerlikons and 40mm Bofors (cannons), Navy divers and more. Jeff and Karen Banks visited from Johnson City, Tenn. They said, “I love the history (of the ship). Many exhibits opened up to see how the ship worked, taking us back into time.” Alabama veterans recounted their sea tours on video in a couple of places.

Genevese Harris, Director of Marketing, said visitors visit about two-thirds of the ship, which is 680 feet long and 108 feet abeam (wide). Be sure to lift your legs and lower your head in doorways. The tour is not suitable for people using walkers and wheelchairs. Most of the ship is air conditioned.

History and warfare

The keel of the USS ALABAMA (BB-60) was laid at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, on February 1, 1940, became operational on March 20, 1943, was decommissioned on January 9, 1947 and became a tourist attraction in 1965.

The Alabama’s advanced design enabled it to steam at 28 knots, almost 32 miles per hour.

The crew of the Alabama earned nine battle stars, engaged in 10 bombardments, and shot down 22 aircraft in her 51-month sailing history in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Placards stated while the original role of battleships was to “engage surface ships, their role shifted to include playing shepherd to the carriers, protecting them from both aircraft and enemy ships” and “gunfire support for allied troops on the ground.”

Asked why preserving and displaying warships like the USS Alabama is important, Harris said, “It’s a part of our history. It’s good for the younger generation to see what was done in the past.” For more information, go to the USS Alabama Memorial Park website or watch a 29:30-minute video titled, “Legacy of a Titan,” on YouTube.

USS Drum

See how the 72-member “Silent Service” crew worked and lived before you leave. According to park’s website, “Of the DRUM’s 13 war patrols, all save the second, ninth, and last two, were designated “successful.” She received a total of 12 battle stars for World War II service. She is credited with sinking 15 ships, a total of 80,580 tons of enemy shipping, the eighth highest of all U.S. submarines in total Japanese tonnage sunk.”

Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion

The hanger holds aircraft from WWII to the Cold War. The collection includes a Red Ball Express display, honoring those men who ran supplies during WWII; a Red-Tail P-51 airplane; and a VH1-N/ Bell 212 helicopter used by several presidents. A highlight is walking around a once super-secret A-12 Black Bird spy plane.

Memorials

The Korean War, Vietnam War, Fallen Guardian and Fallen Hero 9/11 Memorials pay tribute to the men and woman who served during those periods.

Park information

The park is open 8-5 daily. Prices range from free (children up to 5, active duty military), $6 (ages 6-11), $18.00 (ages 12-55), and $15 (veterans, ages 55+). Stevie’s Kitchen grills burgers and hotdogs and serves salads, pizza and drinks. • story by Lt Col Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret.

The Oklahoma Veterans Commission brought its, August 8, 2025, meeting to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Claremore Veterans Home, where commissioners, agency leaders, and guests gathered to discuss the future of veteran care and services across the state. The meeting began with the formal approval of the previous minutes-a quick procedural step-but the mood in the room carried a sense of purpose. This was not simply about routine governance. It was about action, change, and making visible progress for the more than 260,000 veterans who call Oklahoma home.
A major highlight of the meeting was the update on the newly formed Oklahoma Veterans Foundation. Already recognized as a charitable corporation in the state, the foundation is awaiting federal 501(c)(3) status, which will open the door to donations from individuals, corporations, and community organizations. These funds will be directed toward programs and services that directly benefit veterans, filling gaps where state and federal resources may fall short. Commissioners spoke about the importance of getting the legal and financial framework right from the start to ensure transparency and trust. “I’ve already had people tell me, ‘As soon as you can take a check, I’m writing one,’” Commissioner Martin said. “This is more than paperwork-it’s building the future of veteran support in Oklahoma.”
From there, attention turned to a challenge that touches the lives of veterans and their families every day: admissions to Oklahoma Veterans Homes. In the past, applications could take weeks to process, causing stress for families and delays in care. By replacing the outdated paper-based review process with a streamlined digital system, approval times have been cut to about 24 hours in most cases. This change allows medical staff, administrators, and other decision-makers to review applications simultaneously instead of sequentially. “We went from two or three weeks to about a day. That means a veteran who needs care now isn’t sitting in limbo,” explained Candice McIntire, Homes Outreach Coordinator. Each home now has a weekly admissions goal, and several are already approaching the Commission’s target of 90 percent occupancy. For many in the room, this represented not just operational efficiency, but a moral victory.
Another topic that received considerable discussion was the role of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs). Currently, veterans can receive different guidance depending on where they go for help-a situation ODVA wants to fix. The plan is to align training across all veteran service organizations so that every veteran receives the same high-quality, accurate information. “Whether a veteran walks into a state office or a local service organization, they should hear the same answers,” said Executive Director James “Jay” Bynum. In 2025, ODVA plans to roll out expanded hands-on training, including specialized instruction in disability claims, pensions, and military sexual trauma cases. Veterans in attendance expressed strong support for the move, with one noting, “It’s frustrating when two people give you two different answers. Consistency matters.”
Financial stability was another central theme. Following the pandemic, the cost of contract nursing staff increased dramatically, putting pressure on ODVA’s budget. By raising wages for full-time employees, ODVA has been able to recruit and retain more permanent staff, cutting the number of contract workers and saving millions of dollars annually. “We’ve been able to hire good people, keep them, and still save money,” said Executive Director Bynum. Centralizing purchasing across facilities is another cost-saving measure, bringing consistency to supply orders and reducing waste.
Infrastructure needs were also on the agenda. Many Oklahoma Veterans Homes are decades old, and some have rooms offline due to needed repairs. In Ardmore, for example, more than 20 beds are currently unusable because of water damage. Plans are in place to repair and modernize those spaces, with the goal of restoring them to service. “Every bed we can restore is another veteran we can serve,” Bynum emphasized.
Community outreach remains a major priority. ODVA is building a statewide veteran database to help connect veterans with benefits and services they may not know about. The agency plans to use this database as the backbone of a targeted outreach campaign, meeting veterans where they are-whether that’s at hospitals, community centers, or even sporting events. “It’s not enough to wait for veterans to come to us,” Bynum said. “We have to go to them.”
Training events are also evolving. The agency’s annual service officer training conference has been rebranded and moved to January to allow for more comprehensive, interactive learning. This year’s event will bring together ODVA staff and representatives from other veteran service organizations, reinforcing the idea that serving veterans is a shared mission. “It’s going to be hands-on, not just lectures,” Veterans Services Director, Lisa Acevedo promised.
Throughout the meeting, the human side of this work was never far from the surface. Candice described the joy of calling a family to say their loved one could be admitted the next day. “The relief in their voice-there’s nothing like it,” she said. Candice also told of a veteran who moved in after years of struggling alone. “He told us, ‘I wish I’d done this sooner. I feel like I’m part of a family again.’ That’s why we do this.”
As the meeting concluded, commissioners reflected on the progress made and the work ahead. Challenges remain: filling every available bed, modernizing aging facilities, and securing sustainable funding. But the momentum is real. “We’re on the right track,” Commissioner Martin. “Every improvement means a better life for the people who served our country.”
The next Oklahoma Veterans Commission meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2025, in Lawton. Between now and then, ODVA will continue its push for faster admissions, consistent services, stronger outreach, and more efficient operations-all in the name of honoring veterans through action, not just words. •
By Daron Hoggatt, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, Public Information Officer

The Department of Veterans Affairs will realign an additional $800 million this fiscal year as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which makes infrastructure improvements to health care facilities to ensure safe and effective patient care.
The extra funding means more resources to repair and update aging VA facilities and technology.
The money will be spent on a variety of planned and supplemental improvement projects at various VA health care facilities across the nation, including the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, where the following improvements will occur:
• Abate Asbestos Phase 1 • Convert Surgery Air Handler to 80% return • Repair/Replace Condensate Return System (and pump)
“This is another step forward in our efforts to make VA work better for the Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we are charged with serving,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Improved facilities, equipment and infrastructure help improve care for Veterans, and these additional funds will enable VA to achieve that goal.”
The additional funds will come from savings gleaned from various VHA reform efforts. The additions will bring total NRM program spending for fiscal year 2025 to $2.8 billion – a nearly $500 million increase from fiscal year 2024.
The improvements announced today are the latest in a growing list of VA accomplishments during the second Trump Administration, including:
• The backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits is down more than 37% since Jan. 20, 2025.
• Since Jan. 20, VA has offered Veterans nearly 1 million appointments outside of normal operating hours. These early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments are giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
• VA has opened 16 new health care clinics across the nation since Jan. 20, 2025.
• The President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request would add billions to VA’s budget.
• VA has made it easier and faster for VA-enrolled Veterans to access care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.
• VA has implemented major reforms to make it easier for survivors to get benefits.
• VA is processing record numbers of disability claims, reaching 1 million claims processed for FY25 on Feb. 20 and reaching 2 million claims by June – both achievements were done in record time.

Veterans and patriots will soon be treated to a rare insight into the current training provided at Top Gun elite fighter pilot training in a six-part National Geographic docuseries, “Top Guns: The Next Generation.”

Beginning September 16 at 8 p.m., the six-part series follows a group of Navy and Marine Corps pilots as they navigate the rigorous Advanced Flight Training Program. The series captures the high-stakes aerial training, including dogfights, bombing drills, and challenging carrier approaches, highlighting the intense pressure and mental fortitude required to succeed. Their courage and determination will inspire and command respect from viewers.

“As in any docuseries or documentary about the United States Navy and Marine Corps, it will always be the intent to show the American people the professionalism and discipline of the United States Navy/Marine Corps Team,” Del City retired Navy Captain John Keilty said this week. “and in the case of Top Gun to highlight the mission to win in combat by training the best strike fighter aviators who then elevate combat readiness in the Fleet!”

This documentary series provides an inside look at the demanding and highly competitive world of elite fighter pilot training in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Only the very best will make it through the program. The series is not just entertaining, but also educational, offering a unique insight into the training process.

The series goes beyond the aircraft and follows the fighter pilots through a six-month training regimen. Their experiences both in the air and during their off-base lives with family and friends are on display, providing a unique and engaging perspective on the lives of these future “patch-wearing” pilots. (patch refers to completion of Top Gun)

Some of the creative team behind “Top Gun: Maverick” were involved in filming the series. In-cockpit cameras deliver a front-row view of the action, adding to the immersive experience as they offer unprecedented access to one of the Navy’s most elite fighter pilot programs.

While the series shares a similar spirit with the “Top Gun” movies, it’s a documentary series following real pilots in training, not a fictional story.

Two of the most dramatic episodes will be “HEAD-TO-HEAD,” which focuses on pilots under training facing their final dogfighting test against an instructor before graduation and the finale, “LAST CHANCE,” leads up to graduation and the students’ last chance to earn their patch.

Episodes are available to stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Oklahoma boasts a Veteran Naval Aviator who was a Navy Test Pilot and flew with many Top Gun graduates. Retired Captain John Keilty had a long and distinguished flying career in the U.S. Navy spanning 26 years. Last month, he retired after 24 years teaching high school and college math and Science, coaching HS football and baseball and being a senior NJROTC Instructor.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) in 1984 and was selected to command USNTPS from 1993 to 1995. It was during his CO tour where he participated in the first U.S. Navy/Russian Test Pilot Technical Exchange Program. He was one of seven American test pilots sent to Zhukovsky Air Base (north of Moscow) and the Gromov Flight Research Institute shortly after the Cold War, meeting with Russian pilots and discussing flight test policy, processes, and procedures.

The program was a multifaceted initiative designed to foster cooperation and understanding between the two superpowers in the post-Cold War era. He flew a MiG-29 Russian fighter trainer, and others in his delegation flew the Sukhoi Su-34 Variant. He noted the Russian test pilots seemed to spend less time preparing for our training exercises, and the pre-flight briefings were less structured and significantly shorter in time than their American counterparts (granted, there was a language barrier, but there was a translator present for all briefings).

It seemed to Keilty that they lagged behind the greater autonomy and situational awareness afforded to US pilots operating within more networked systems and advanced avionics. American jets benefited from integrated systems like AWACS and data networks that enhanced overall situational awareness.

The exchange also involved Russian cosmonauts, such as Igor Volk, Chief of Russian Flight Test, who was on the Shuttle Buran Program. He was also the first test pilot to develop the aerobatic “cobra maneuver”. Igor and six other Russian Test Pilots visited Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland to test-fly American planes. Keilty described the opportunity to be in Russia and observe its “new state of freedom” as a thrill, and particularly enjoyed getting to know the Russian people and pilots involved in the program.

Keilty said he found it a privilege and an awesome opportunity to fly the MiG-29. Still, the experience highlighted the differing design philosophies and technological advancements that separated the two nations’ fighter aircraft during that period. He acknowledged the MiG-29 was a capable aircraft for its time, but less advanced systems limited its overall effectiveness compared to its American counterparts.

While a Flight Deck and War Plans Officer, Keilty served on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Coronado, home of the 3rd Fleet Commander.

Keilty retired in 2001 as Commander of Strategic Communications Wing ONE at Tinker Air Force Base.

He became a high school teacher to continue his community Involvement and patriotism. Keilty recently displayed continued service to America as the head of the Junior NROTC program at Del City High School. There, he was active in honoring veterans in his work memorializing Vietnam Veterans Bob Kalsu and seven men who attended Del City High School and went on to serve and die in combat in Vietnam.

Now known for his boisterous patriotic demeanor, Keilty demonstrates how modeling patriotism in Del City affects his motivation to be a thoughtful and inspiring leader.

As a former Navy pilot, Keilty says his attitude comes with the territory. “Every time I climbed into that jet and buckled in, it was like the feeling I had some 50 years ago in my first flight training, and the feeling that I represented the greatest country in the world was always very humbling and overwhelming to me,” Keilty said in a recent interview. “In the seven years that I was in the NJROTC program at Del City High School, I saw many young kids voluntarily raise their right hand, take an oath to support and defend, and then go out and make significant contributions to America’s defense and readiness – just one of the greatest feelings in my life!” •
Story and photos by Darl DeVault, contributing editor

https://excellpcs.com/

Harriet (Greenberg) Frank served in the USMC Woman’s Reserve between April 29, 1945 (age 20) – July 17, 1946. Then, having women in the military was an experiment, but initiated so men could go overseas
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Tim Stanley of the Tulsa World newspaper posted an article about Harriet Frank on Facebook in 2015 as part of a “WWII Legacy Keepers” series. The main portion of the article is his; the remainder is from Stephens who visited her in August.

With each one of the small black bags that crossed her desk, Harriet Frank never lost sight of what it represented: another young life cut short by war. “It was work you couldn’t help but get emotionally involved in,” she said of taking inventory of the personal effects of slain Marines, her first job at Marine Corps headquarters in 1945. Among the items collected in those black bags, Frank said, were photos, letters, Bibles and billfolds. One of the items that touched her most, she said, was a baby book…the mother had mailed the book to him. It contained a photo of the baby and a copy of the birth certificate. It was sad, she said, to see things like that and to consider the life that was lost.

At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, Frank was 16 years old.

“I knew I was going to do something, I just didn’t know what,” she said. Being Jewish, and knowing what was going on in Europe, was additional motivation, she added. To join one of the recently established women’s military branches, you had to be at least 20.

By the time her 20th birthday rolled around on April 29, 1945, Frank had already completed her paperwork to join the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, or “Lady Marines” as it was often called. “The Marines were the finest branch. They were the bravest, best-looking,” Frank said, laughing. “I wanted to be one of them.” After six weeks of basic training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Frank was assigned to work at Marine Corps headquarters in Arlington.

After (inventorying personal effects)..she was moved to the office that handled discharges.

Someone down the hall yelled, “The war is over!” And we literally ran from Henderson Hall (in Arlington) clear into D.C. There, on the streets of nation’s capital, Frank joined with the throngs of celebrants. “Everybody was kissing everybody. I’ve never kissed so many strangers in my life,” she laughed.

Frank enjoyed the Marines, she said, and might’ve made a career of military service. But at the time it wasn’t an option; the women’s branches had not yet been made permanent. So, taking her discharge in August 1946 as a corporal, Frank resumed her studies at Oklahoma A&M on the G.I. Bill and completed a degree in sociology. While a student, she met her future husband on a blind date. Ben Frank was a WWII veteran himself, an Army lieutenant who’d served in the China-Burma-India theater. “Two months later we were engaged, and after four months we were married,” Frank said.

The couple settled in Konawa and raised three children together. Frank worked for years in child welfare with the Department of Human Services. When her husband died in his early 50s, she took over the store he ran in Seminole County. Later she moved back to the Tulsa area.

Frank said her military service served her well. “It made me more independent. It gave me more confidence in myself.” Among her fellow veterans, though, she’s still partial to one branch. “The Marines are still the best,” she said, laughing. “And don’t you forget it!”
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“I wanted the Marines” said Frank. “They were the best branch in my mind and we were treated very well.” However, many male Marines didn’t want women in uniform, so they rudely called women “BAMs,” meaning, “Big-Ass Marines.” “We weren’t gonna put up with it,” Frank said with a feisty tone. Smiling, she recalled she would reply they were “HAMs,” for “Half-Ass Marines.”

During basic training at Camp Lejeune, “We were put on guard duty at boot camp… we’d sometimes do it.” But guard duty was not with a M1 rifle. “A wooden one, shaped like a gun. It was kind of embarrassing,” she said, laughing. But that’s what we did…we marched back and forth along the sidewalk with the wooden gun.”

Harriet Frank joined the “centenarian club” in April. Her advice? “Take care of yourself. You’re the only person that can really take care of yourself.” • story by Tim Stanley and Lt Col Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret.

Veterans who receive community care for medical treatment have been required in the past to seek and receive new referrals every 90 to 180 days. Just getting that referral or authorization can cause delays in treatment. Now, with changes at the VA, those referrals won’t be as frequent.
Starting now, in 30 different categories of medical care, referrals and new authorizations will only be required once a year.
Community care can literally be a lifesaver for veterans who live too far from a VA medical facility, whose closest facility doesn’t provide the medical care that’s required or if the VA’s wait times are not acceptable.
Here are a few of the 30 medical categories that are now eligible for the longer authorization: cardiology, oncology, gastroenterology, pain management and pulmonary.
If you’ve been getting community medical care and are subject to the need for frequent reauthorizations, contact the Community Care office at your closest VA medical center to ask how the new rule impacts the schedule you’ll be on going forward. Ask whether the new “year” began when your current authorization period did, or whether a new year begins right now. Get the answer in writing, if you can. Take the steps you need to, to guarantee that your authorization is indeed extended so you don’t discover at the last minute that there’s been a problem and that your file was overlooked.
If you’d like to take advantage of community care, you need to be enrolled in VA health care or be eligible for it.
If you’re getting VA care, tell your VA physician that you’d like to get community care. If they think it’s appropriate, they will start a referral.
Once you find a civilian community care provider that you like, be sure to verify that they’re part of the VA’s network before you get any treatment from them, otherwise VA won’t pay for it.
To learn more about community care or to find a provider in your area, go online to www.va.gov/communitycare. •
By Freddy Groves
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

The Bethany Improvement Foundation is raising funds to help build and complete the Bethany Veterans Plaza.

The Bethany Improvement Foundation is raising funds to help build and complete the Bethany Veterans Plaza.
This initiative is entirely community-funded, community-designed, and community-driven. It reflects a shared commitment to honoring those who served and strengthening the bonds within their city.
Southern Nazarene University donated the northwest side of Donald Street and NW 39th Expressway (Route 66) for the placement of the plaza.
The Veteran’s Plaza was designed by local sculptor, Scott Stearman, to honor all members of the Armed Services.
“The thing that motivated me about the Veterans Plaza was being a member of this community in that this is where I have my business, this is where I have my home, it’s where I went to college,” Stearman said. “The idea of the Veterans Plaza really started when (former) Mayor KP Westmoreland called me and asked me about creating something for the city of Bethany. But as more of us came together and started dreaming about what it could look like, it really became more than just a Bethany place. This became (original name) Route 66 Oklahoma Veterans Monument. It will be a place that will invite people to visit, a place to honor, service, and sacrifice, and patriotism.”
Stearman said the purpose of this plaza is to invite you to step into the stories of those that have served.
“The stories of those who served are going to be presented,” he said. “Of course, there will be a big central sculpture that will represent different eras and different genders and different ethnic groups that have been represented in our military service branches.”
He continued, “One of the aspects that I’m really excited about incorporating into this is there will be a place for you to read excerpts from letters that were taken. Words that were taken from the battlefield, words that were sent back home to families and spouses, to children. The text will be captured in a little bronze plaque, and you’ll read a letter from someone. Letters from World War I, letters from World War II, Vietnam, letters from Desert Storm. It’s going to be positioned in a circle as it goes around the central sculpture.”
Stearman said the Veterans Plaza will be a place to appreciate and treasure what service and sacrifice means.
“We will have seen their words, and we will have an understanding of what that is all about,” he said. “I’ve talked about this place to be a tribute to veterans and to the families and friends of veterans who sacrificed as well. It’s not really a memorial. This is a veteran’s plaza that will be a tribute.”
Stearman said there will be a memorial aspect to the plaza.
“Set off to the side, a little bit behind the main plaza with the big center sculpture and the wall and the letters and the bronze plaques and all the words will be an area that is a memorial for the fallen from Oklahoma who have died in the global war on terrorism,” he said.
He continued “We don’t think this exists anywhere in the state of Oklahoma. This will be the first place in the state of Oklahoma where all the names of the fallen in the war on terror will be listed on one wall. These are Oklahomans who have died in service since 9/11. They’ll be etched on a black granite wall. It’ll be very much like the Vietnam Wall where folks will be able to do a rubbing, they’ll be able to put a piece of paper up there and rub it and get an impression of what that name is on the wall.”
Stearman said standing in front of that wall will be a sculpture.
“It is a life-size sculpture of a little girl, five years old, literally 39 inches tall, and she’s standing in front of that wall of names and she’s going to be holding a folded flag. That’s all we’re going to know,” he said. “When we walk up to this sacred place, we’ll see this little girl looking at a wall of names holding a folded flag, and we will complete the story. The truth is, she represents us. She represents our community. She represents families and friends who’ve sent loved ones into harm’s way, and now she stands in this silent tribute looking at a wall of names.”
He added, “We’ll fill in the blanks on the story, but she will present a beautiful truth that the citizens of Oklahoma have a great debt and have experienced a great loss, because someone they loved, their name is on that wall. So that’s the memorial aspect of it.”
Stearman said the Veterans Plaza will include three sculptures.
“Three sculptures will be against the sky as you drive by. A Vietnam frontline surgical trauma nurse, a World War II/Korean War veteran, and standing in the center will be a modern-day desert warrior, and the two from previous eras and previous wars will have their hand on his shoulder,” he said. “It will be a previous generation supporting the active-duty soldier today. There’s a continuation of the call to arms that a nation has extended to its citizens or call to arms to go to battle. This is a place to honor those who have answered the call.”
Lawrence A. Ross, committee member of the Bethany Improvement Foundation, said he remains hopeful the first phase of the plaza can be approved by the end of the year by the Bethany City Council.
“I’m still hopeful that by the end of the year, the city council will have said yes, and I can begin looking for contractors and hopefully these angel donors will come out of the woods who I’m told are just waiting for full city approval for our location,” he said.
Donations are being solicited and should be sent to Priscilla Cude, Treasurer, Bethany Improvement Foundation, P.O. Box 218, Bethany, OK 73008. Payable to Bethany Improvement Foundation, which is a 501-c-3 charitable contribution. • By Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Pratt & Whitney Oklahoma City has been selected as the 2025 “Employer of Veterans” (Large Employer) by the American Legion Department of Oklahoma. The award recognizes the company’s strong support of veteran employees and its commitment to hiring and retaining those who have served in the military. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX business.
The award was presented on Saturday, July 12, during the American Legion Department of Oklahoma Convention in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
“Veterans bring unique skills, perspectives and leadership to our team,” said Greg Treacy, vice president, Pratt & Whitney Oklahoma City. “We’re proud to support them-not only during their time in uniform, but throughout their careers with us.”
Earlier this year, three Pratt & Whitney OKC leaders received the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award during an employee event. That same nomination was shared with the American Legion by the ESGR State Chair, leading to the site’s selection for this statewide recognition.
The recognition reflects Pratt & Whitney OKC’s ongoing efforts to create a workplace where those who have served-and continue to serve-can thrive.