Special to OKVN

During World War II, tyranny and devastation swept over continents, and the very foundations of our freedom stood in peril. In the face of such danger, communities across Oklahoma did not hesitate. From the bustling streets of Tulsa to the wide-open fields of the Red River Valley, men and women from every corner of the state stepped forward-answering the call when it mattered most. They asked for no recognition or reward, yet history will forever remember them as heroes. Among the courageous women who left Oklahoma but never came home was Second Lieutenant Geraldine Crouch.

Born on December 17, 1919, in McAlester, Geraldine was the cherished daughter of Eugene and Virgie Crouch. She grew up in a close-knit community and shared unforgettable memories with her three sisters and four brothers. From a very young age, Geraldine showed a deep care for those around her-a compassion that would define her life. Her childhood in the heart of McAlester was filled with joy and laughter, but in 1931, her mother passed away. Geraldine was only 11 years old, and that sudden loss left a scar that never fully healed.

Geraldine attended McAlester High School, where she was loved by classmates and teachers alike. Her thoughtfulness and natural empathy were evident to all who knew her. Inspired by a desire to help others, she pursued nurse training at University Hospital in Oklahoma City. After her studies, she returned home and became an assistant nurse at the McAlester Clinic, where her care and dedication earned the admiration of colleagues and patients.

When World War II spread across the globe, Geraldine felt a profound sense of duty and the need to heal the wounds of war. In 1942, she joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, serving with the 61st Station Hospital, and was initially stationed in Texas. A year later, she was deployed to North Africa, tending wounded soldiers with tireless devotion. She later served in Sicily and the Italian Campaign, where she continued her mission under grueling conditions, always bringing comfort and relief to those in the most desperate situations.

Tragically, on October 14, 1944, Geraldine was aboard a B-24 aircraft flying over Italy when disaster struck. The plane crashed into a hill near Rocchetta Sant’Antonio in Foggia, killing her instantly. She was only 24 years old, with so much life ahead of her, and so much yet to give.

Back in McAlester, news of her death sent shockwaves through the entire community, leaving her father, siblings, and neighbors heartbroken. The thought of never again seeing her smile or hearing her voice was unbearable. Her father passed away in 1961, and one by one, her siblings also died, carrying with them the lasting memory of Geraldine’s generosity and humanity.

Today, Geraldine rests at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Arkansas, among countless American heroes who gave their lives to make the world a better place. The cemetery is a site of quiet reflection, where her service is honored in reverent silence. Her headstone stands as an eternal reminder of a life, a story, and a guiding light that must continue to inspire generations to come.

It is our solemn duty to remember Second Lieutenant Geraldine Crouch and to honor a legacy carved through sacrifice, compassion, and bravery. Her poignant story resonates with those of countless women from Oklahoma who left their homes, families, and dreams behind to help turn the tide of war and reshape history. Though time moves on, their spirit remains woven into the fabric of Oklahoma’s history-and their memory will endure as long as we choose to carry their story forward. •
story by John Dekhane – Living in France.

Don Nichols, Adjutant of Chapter 617 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, announced that the Department of Oklahoma’s Military Order of the Purple Heart is enhancing the National Purple Heart Monument in Tahlequah with a new QR code. The monument, created to honor all American veterans, is already unique for its existing QR code that lets visitors view veterans’ stories while on site.
The new addition will connect visitors directly to the Virtual Wall®, “an on-line web site that contains memorial pages honoring the 58,261 women and men whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C” according to the Vietnam Veterans of America. By scanning the code with a smartphone, guests can access detailed profiles and service information for each individual named on the Wall.
“We’ll have the only monument that has that capability,” Nichols said, that provides a direct link to the Virtual Wall®. He added, “We did that to let the families of veterans know they aren’t forgotten.” The Purple Heart Monument is located at the corner of Muskogee Avenue and the Bertha Parker Bypass, at 2001 South Muskogee Avenue. Scan this code to visit. • story by Don Nichols, Adjutant of Chapter 617 in Muskogee.

On September 18, as Dr. Anthony Pham was performing his normal vision exams and prescribing eyeglasses at Tinker Eye Care, he received a nice-to-have surprise award.
A “Special Recognition Award” came from the Oklahoma Military Order of the Purple Heart, presented by Master Chief Petty Officer Larry Van Schuyver, State Commander.
Schuyver said the award was given “because over and over again, he’s taken the time to help with our elderly, disabled veterans and other families. He’ll help you any way he can. He’s an honorable, decent man and we’re proud to welcome him to our Purple Heart family.”
Staff, family and Joanna Bunde, Visual Merchandizer at Tinker’s Base Exchange, clapped with their approval.
Afterwards, Pham, who owns and manages the store, explained how he felt. “I’m honored to receive this. It’s my privilege to serve as a civilian optometrist.”
The Tinker Eye Care office serves 250 customers a week with primary eye care (exams, eye disease, contact lenses and more). • story by Lt Col Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret.

Herman Meinders and the Meinders Foundation have combined for an $8 million donation to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The gift aims to transform neurodegenerative disease research in Oklahoma.
OMRF will add a new floor to its research tower that will serve as the hub for the Meinders Center for Neurodegenerative Research, the state’s first dedicated center to study brain diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Meinders, an Oklahoma City businessman and philanthropist, contributed $2 million toward this gift before he died in March. The Meinders Foundation then increased the gift by an additional $6 million.
“This generous donation will help us build upon the groundbreaking discoveries our scientists have already made involving neurodegenerative diseases,” said OMRF President Andrew Weyrich, Ph.D. “Our ultimate goal is to improve diagnostics and treatment options for the millions of Americans who live with one of these debilitating diseases.”
At OMRF, 10 scientists lead labs that study various aspects of neurodegenerative diseases. The combined gift by Herman Meinders and the Meinders Foundation will integrate the work of these labs, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the causes behind brain disorders, including the environmental and genetic factors that increase the risk of developing one.
Meinders and his wife, LaDonna, were passionate supporters of causes that included research and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Their gifts established the Meinders NeuroScience Institute and the Meinders Center for Movement Disorders at Oklahoma City’s Mercy Hospital. Both centers provide advanced treatment for Parkinson’s disease, which Herman Meinders lived with over his final 10 years.
The couple also were longtime supporters of OMRF, and their foundation became aware of OMRF’s focus on neurodegenerative diseases shortly before Herman’s death.
OMRF scientist Mike Beckstead, Ph.D., had recently been awarded a National Institutes of Health grant to create novel research model for Parkinson’s research. Mo Grotjohn, treasurer and trustee for the Meinders Foundation, read a resulting newspaper article about the grant a few weeks before Herman’s death.
“As I learned about Dr. Beckstead’s research, I became convinced this was an endeavor worth pursuing, so I contacted OMRF Board Chair Len Cason and shared the information with members of the Meinders family,” Grotjohn said.
In Parkinson’s, nerve cells produce less dopamine, resulting in a loss of muscle control, balance and movement. It is second only behind Alzheimer’s as the most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting an estimated 1 million people in the U.S. and 10 million worldwide.
In addition to studying Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, OMRF scientists have made major breakthroughs for people living with other brain diseases.
For example, research at OMRF led to the only treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration for neuromyelitis optica, which robs people of movement, balance and sight. OMRF scientists also pioneered an investigational drug for glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer.
“With this gift from Herman Meinders and the Meinders Foundation, we hope to make similarly meaningful headway toward improved treatments for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s,” Weyrich said. “Doing so would honor the memory of Mr. Meinders.”

As an Air Force Chaplain from 1995 to 1998, I thought life’s path was set. Serving at Incirlik, Turkey, and other places, I bonded with airmen, praying through their fears with Psalm 91 verse 4, “Under his wings you will find refuge.” I just knew I was exactly where God wanted me. However, over time I could see this was just a steppingstone towards Gods call into civilian ministry. So, I left the Air Force expecting a smooth transition. Instead, doors closed – churches, ministries, even secular jobs rejected me. The bright spot during that turmoil was that I happily married my soulmate. Life moved on, filled with raising our daughter and teaching college-level Bible classes. Inside though, I felt adrift, my purpose lost after the military.
Fifteen years later, clarity came through crisis-and my Australian Shepherd, DB. One day, DB broke house rules, bolting at me with panicked eyes, something was wrong. A voice in my mind screamed, “You’re dying. Get help!” An image of my daughter growing up motherless flashed before my eyes. It hit hard. What’s happening to me? Was it God or DB? I can only describe it as surreal, as my husband drove me to the hospital. Then came the diagnose, a heart attack-my third due to a rare congenital condition causing coronary artery dissections-this was my gravest. The ER doctor was shocked at how lucid I was, given that I had a 90% blockage of my left anterior descending artery. At 100% it’s called a widow maker. Double bypass surgery saved me, but medications nearly killed me, leaving me desperate for alternatives.
I dove into research and consulted conventional and holistic practitioners. Slowly, I rebuilt my health with diet and supplements, sidestepping prescriptions. Gradually, my faith in God restored my courage and my health. Two years later, I was taxiing my daughter, teaching at a Christian university, and riding horses again. Then, a divine question pierced me: If you lived expecting to survive, not die, what would you do differently? I’d been living in fear’s shadow, not faith’s light.
That question sparked my calling. My recovery taught me the body’s healing power when stewarded well. I wanted to help others-especially veterans-overcome health barriers, to fulfill their purpose. Conventional medicine alone wasn’t enough; I needed training centered on the body’s innate healing. In 2015, I found it: a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. Seven grueling years later, I became a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and moved back to my home state of Oklahoma. Now, in my Stillwater clinic, I guide clients through PTSD, pain, and fatigue with hyperbaric oxygen, nutrition, and herbal medicine from a faith-based perspective. Seeing a vet’s hope rekindled after activating the body’s self-healing mechanisms is my joy.
My journey mirrors Joshua’s in Numbers 13-14. As a young chaplain, I expected a linear path. Joshua, too, faced setbacks. After the Exodus, he spied the Promised Land, but doubt from others delayed God’s promise for 40 years. Only Joshua and Caleb, steadfast in faith, entered. Joshua 1:1-3 shows God’s faithfulness after Moses’ death, urging Joshua forward. Veterans, your setbacks-health crises, lost dreams-aren’t the end. Like Joshua, declare God’s power in your doubt. He equips you in spirit, soul, and body to seize His purpose.
Fellow veterans, your story isn’t over. My path from chaplain to survivor to naturopath proves it. Shift from fear to faith. Start small: sip water instead of soda, pray for five minutes daily, or call a battle buddy. Visit my clinic or a veterans’ group. God redeems pain for purpose-let’s steward our bodies and lives to fulfill His call. •
Patti V Sheeley, Chaplain, USAF, ND, M.Div, MA.

Retirement isn’t what it used to be. In fact, according to entrepreneur and speaker Bob Loudermilk, traditional retirement as we know it is obsolete.

His new book, “Never Retire: Reinvent Yourself for Life’s Second Half,” invites readers to reject the old notion of slowing down and instead embrace life’s second half as their most meaningful, adventurous, and impactful season yet.

For generations, people have been taught that the pinnacle of success is reaching the day you stop working. But Loudermilk argues that the traditional script is broken. Longer lifespans, shifting economies, and a universal longing for purpose mean that “checking out” at 65 is not only unrealistic for many-it can also be harmful.

“Traditional retirement too often leads to boredom, loss of identity, and even decline,” Loudermilk says. “But what if these years could actually become your most vibrant, productive, and meaningful chapter yet?”

“Never Retire” shows readers how to trade the myth of retirement for the joy of reinvention. With a blend of powerful storytelling, practical strategies, and research-backed insights, Loudermilk paints a picture of what’s possible when people bring the same creativity, grit, and courage that shaped their first half of life into the second.

Readers will meet people who refused to fade away-entrepreneurs who started businesses later in life, artists who created masterpieces in their seventies and eighties, and everyday men and women who found new callings that gave them a fresh sense of joy and contribution.

“Many people, after retiring from an active career, loose their vitality quickly if they don’t remain active,” Loudermilk said. “Parking in front of the television and not engaging in social interaction is a recipe for rapid decline. My slogan is, don’t retire FROM something, retire TO something. The book is all about mindset and strategies to make your second half of life some of your best years.”

Loudermilk said this is not a book of theory. It is a practical roadmap for designing a second half filled with purpose, vitality, and lasting impact. Each chapter helps readers think differently, dream bigger, and take meaningful action to create a future worth living into. “It’s different from anything else on the shelf, and I think it will resonate with readers who are 50+,” he said.”

Loudermilk said the release of “Never Retire” is incredibly timely. With approximately 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day in America, this cultural moment demands a new way of thinking.

Loudermilk believes now is the time to dismantle outdated views of aging and replace them with a vision of possibility.
“The message is clear: the second half of life is not about retreat-it is about reinvention,” he said.
Dave Sheets of BelieversBookServices praised Loudermilk’s book.
“Bob Loudermilk doesn’t just challenge the idea of retirement-he dismantles it with wisdom and hope,” he said. “This book is a must-read for anyone approaching life’s ‘next act.’”
Loudermilk brings decades of entrepreneurial and mentoring experience to this message. He is also the cofounder of the Second Half Expo, the annual event that equips thousands of adults 50+ to thrive with resources, inspiration, and community. His passion for helping others live boldly in their later years flows through every page of the book.
The official launch celebration for “Never Retire” will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Second Half Expo inside the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
Attendees will hear Loudermilk speak, connect with others who share the vision, and join in the book launch party at 10 a.m., marking the beginning of a movement. Details for the Expo are at www.SecondHalfExpo.com

Loudermilk said his message to readers is contained in this declaration: “I am not done yet. There is more in me than I realized. I have a legacy that I will be leaving, and I am creating my legacy right now. There is more ahead.”

He concluded “The closing chapter is about living by an ultimate operating system, which is faith. It is about living with an expectation that you have a purpose and that your life matters.”

Readers can download free sample chapters of the book or order their copy today at https://secondhalfexpo.com/never-retire/ . • story by Van Mitchell, staff writer