Although far fewer WWII veterans are alive or able to attend ceremonies, eight of our Greatest Generation celebrated the 80^th anniversary of the end of WWII at the Claremore Veterans Home auditorium on Sept. 2.  Scott Hannaford, owner of Buffalo Challenge Coins, planned the successful event around giving a “Ruptured Duck” challenge coin to each veteran.

Hannaford addressed the eight veterans. “This celebration will be but a small gesture of which words can never fully convey our gratitude of their service.” After saying a prayer, presenting the Colors, singing the National Anthem and America the Beautiful (with gusto by Aubrey Bartmann) and paying respects to the POW/MIA Table, distinguished guests were introduced.  Oklahoma State Sen. Ally Seifried, District Two-Republican, Admiral Jay Bynum, Executive Director of Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs (ODVA) and Deborah Wimpey, Mayor of Broken Arrow were recognized.

What is a Ruptured Duck?

Hannaford explained, “In World War II, there was a clothing shortage…The United States Armed Forces came up with the Honorable Service Insignia, which depicted an eagle inside of a wreath. It was issued as a cloth patch or a lapel pin…It also allowed this discharged hero to wear their uniform for 30 days in order to have some time to obtain civilian clothing…Although to many, it looked more like a duck than an eagle…there was a common saying when someone was going quickly (leaving the service), they took off like a ruptured duck.” This brought chuckles from the 60 attendees.

Proclamation and Challenge Coins

Seyfried, whose district includes Claremore, read a special proclamation from the Oklahoma Governor. After reading five “Whereas” clauses, she ended with “it is fitting that the state of Oklahoma dedicates this day (Sep 2) as ‘Oklahoma Ruptured Duck Day’ in tribute to the iconic emblem worn by discharged service members and as a lasting acknowledgement of the legacy and heroism of our World War II veterans…”’

Hannaford, Wimpee and Donna Lee, with the VFW Post 577 Auxiliary, met each veteran where they were seated, thanked them for their service and gave them a Ruptured Duck challenge coin and a print of a patriotic eagle made by Air Force veteran Gil Cornett. Recipients Eugene Bargus, John Cockrum, Jerry Crockett, Robert Everitt, Joseph Menninger, William Mauch, Preston Wheaton and Billy Ray Young looked pleased.

Keynote Speaker

Josh Starks retired from the 45th Infantry Division, Oklahoma National Guard, after deploying to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012.  He moved the audience with two stories of WWII veterans he knew. Space only allows for one story.

Starks said that when he was a child and visited his grandmother’s house on her farm, there was a smaller farmhouse where her brother, Paul, lived. “She would bring bread, some ham, some cheese, some water, and I never really understood it. I can think in the 15 years of going…out there, that man probably said five words to me that I understood.”

Paul served in WWII. “He was in the invasion, went all the way to Berlin, and when he came back, he was changed forever. When he came back, he couldn’t function, he couldn’t deal with life, he couldn’t deal with people. He had lost too many people along the way and had seen too many things that I found out much later.”

After Starks’ two-year tour in Afghanistan, he visited his grandmother and many family members came. Paul, in his 90s, lived in the main house then. “My uncle Paul… sprung up from his chair like he was 18 years old, ran to me, gave me a hug, and started telling me every story he had. He told me about his friends that he knew…” Starks grandmother, who had never cried before, wept uncontrollably.

Starks finished with the following. “So, when we talk about the cost of war, it runs deep. It’s not just the individuals that served, it’s the families that have taken care of those individuals that have served for their entire lives.”

During the event’s conclusion, each military service’s song was played – WWII veterans standing, Bartmann sang a moving “God Bless America,” and thanks were given to the Claremore Veterans Center, ODVA, Mission Barbecue for lunch, ARC Document Solutions, and to Keith Meyer and Donna Lee.

Note. This writer confirmed this was the only public event in Oklahoma celebrating the 80^th anniversary of WWII. The World War II Museum estimates 462 WWII Oklahoma veterans are alive in 2025. Robert Lige Everitt died on September 22, 2025. Bison Challenge Coins, https://bisonchallengecoins.com/#

• Story by Retired Lt. Col. Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFER. See Rich Travel Niche

My name is Jill Stephenson.

I moved to the Tulsa area earlier this year with my father. We are from Minnesota, however I spent the last four years in NW Arkansas and have previously lived in several other states. My only child honorably served in the military for three years before making the ultimate sacrifice to defend our beautiful America in 2009 at the age of twenty-one. Although I am not from Oklahoma and my son is counted as a MN fallen soldier, I will be sharing stories of Oklahoma/greater Tulsa area fallen military. My first offering will be about my son. Going forward I will focus on local families by sharing stories of courage, patriotism and selflessness. Above all, I want you to get to know the faces and the families of those who have sacrificed so much in the name of freedom.

My son Benjamin Kopp joined the military and became an Army Ranger out of respect and admiration for his great grandfather, a WWII veteran, and to avenge the events of September 11th. After 9/11, at the age of 13, Ben vowed to serve his country with determination and pride. He arrived at Ft. Benning, Georgia exactly one month after his high school graduation. His tenacity made him an accomplished Army Ranger only seven months later. The daily challenges of being an elite Army Ranger do not come easy, but quickly turns boys into men. Ben was no exception. On his first visit home, the change in him was noticeable and it was apparent he was doing exactly what he was meant to do.

Ben maintained his childhood friendships from his hometown of Rosemount, MN, but also established new friendships within his fellow brothers of the the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He became known for his fearless attitude, crooked grin and his charm with the ladies. Ben had an infectious personality and all would agree he was a best friend to many. Ben served two tours in Iraq before his third tour in Afghanistan in May of 2009.

On July 10th, during a firefight with the Taliban, he saved the lives of six of his fellow Rangers before being shot in the leg. Unfortunately, recovery from the trauma his body endured from the gunshot wound and following surgery would prove to be too much. Ben Kopp died on July 18, 2009 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Prior to his death, Ben ensured his living will stated that upon his death, all of his organs, bone, skin and tissue be donated. His donations saved or enhanced the lives of 60 people. His heart lived on and continued to beat for fifteen years and seven months in a woman from Illinois who passed away from health issues unrelated to her heart earlier this year. Ben’s strong ranger heart stayed with her until the objective was complete.

He distinguished himself with the Army Achievement Medal with two awards, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab. Upon his death Ben was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart. He was also posthumously promoted to Corporal. Per his wishes, he is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in the famed section 60, where he is surrounded by heroes from all conflicts dating back more than one hundred fifty years.

The pride I have been gifted in being Ben’s mother is something that has continued to grow. His positive influence and inspiration to all who knew him and many who came to know him after he died, remains alive and well. Among many admirable traits he possessed, Ben was also a champion of the underdog, an aspiring leader, humorous, driven, convicted, courageous and selfless. Saving the lives of his brothers on the battlefield and then of strangers upon his death, were true testaments to the kind of person he was.

He is sorely missed to this day by all who know and love him. In life and in death, Corporal Benjamin S. Kopp was and still is a hero. I couldn’t have asked for a better son. He was my best friend. We will always be the land of the free because of the brave.•
story by Jill Stephenson

Greetings, I’m SFC (Ret) George Shafer. I served as Chaplain at the American Legion in Guthrie, Oklahoma while earning my M.Div. I’m now the Digital Media Pastor for Generations Church in Guthrie. It’s a great Christian community.
As Veterans, we share an ethos that guide our decisions, ethics and moral compass. Concepts like timeliness, integrity, courage and selfless service. We learned the value of hard work and its positive impact on our organization, mission and fellow service members. But we often struggle with balancing these proactive values with the concept rest. When we take time to stop and rest, it can be followed by underlying guilt, even shame. We are culturally driven to do the work, to grind it out, no time off, even at the expense of neglecting those we care about. So, how do we avoid these consequences?
There is an amazing alignment between the science of health and wellness and the teachings in scripture concerning the need for rest, it’s called Sabbath. The same root word as sabbatical. The Sabbath is a staple of the Judeo-Christian culture, yet we witness daily the results of ignoring its benefits. Exhaustion, worry, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, quick tempers, damaged relationships, work burnout, addictions and others are symptoms of our overworked and under rested lifestyles.
We were created in God’s image and likeness. We were made to rest. We were made to stop. We were made to meditate on God. Just reading those three sentences may make you cringe or laugh on the inside. “George, you don’t know my schedule.” “You don’t understand the pressure I’m under.” “I need to feed my family.” All valid points, but all too often these people arrive at jobs, even to church, burnt out, full of contempt and bitterness, going through the motions. Now more than ever we need to seek peace, joy, and contentment. These are three fantastic byproducts of the Sabbath, if we’ll only embrace and practice it!
Yes, adhering to the Sabbath is difficult. Attempting your first 24-hour Sabbath will likely be a rehearsal of all that you forgot to do! But it is through this challenge that the fruits of the Sabbath are revealed. Honoring the Sabbath requires you to schedule around it. Early Hebrews understood the Sabbath to begin once the third star is seen in the night sky on Friday evening and concludes when the third star is observed on Saturday evening. It shows us that the Sabbath is not ritualistic as it varies from week to week when the stars are visible to us.
For five years I have intentionally practiced my Sabbath. It has helped me find a balance that has created a closer, more intimate relationship with God and my family. I am healthier, clear-headed, more patient, and more flexible with change. The Sabbath has given me peace, joy, and contentment, and has been an integral part of refreshing my mind, body, soul, and emotions.
Communication has been key to sustaining my Sabbath. In-depth and consistent communication with my wife, my family, my job, and my friends has helped create the space necessary to observe the Sabbath. It also gave unspoken permission for the people around me to observe the Sabbath in their own time.
Take time to focus on your own Sabbath, find rest for your soul. Christ shares this promise: Matt 11:28, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Rev. George F. Shafer, SFC (Ret.), M.Div., B.S., Chaplain (TAL Post 58)

Pete Reed, former director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, was tasked by his close friend, the late Gov. George Nigh, to work with the Force 50 Foundation to help bring the Native American Warrior Project to fruition.

Pete Reed, former director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, right, and Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, are working to help make the Native American Warrior Project in Oklahoma City a reality.Reed, who began his career in public service at age 25 and became director of the Department of Veterans Affairs at 29, has been working with the Native American Warrior Project to establish a monument recognizing Native Americans’ contributions in the U.S. military.

In August, Reed kicked off a statewide tour to honor Native American veterans and raise funds for a new monument at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City.
The tour, dubbed the “Season of the Warrior Campaign,” will visit 100 communities across Oklahoma in under 100 days.

Reed and his team plan to meet local leaders, visit community landmarks, and engage with newspapers to raise awareness for the project.

“He (Nigh) asked me to pursue with the Force 50 Foundation to visit all 77 counties,” Reed said. “Our goal is to raise $2.5 million from 100,000 Oklahomans at $25 each. That’s one quarter of 1% of our state, and we believe there are 100,000 Oklahomans at $25.”

The Force 50 Foundation, headquartered in Norman, is dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of Veterans by enhancing their access to essential healthcare, mental health support, and transportation services. Through strategic collaboration with an extensive network of partners, they strive to empower Veterans with the resources and support they need to thrive.

The Native American Warrior Monument arch rendering is shown at the state capital in Oklahoma City.Nigh, a special advisor to Force 50, penned a letter to Oklahomans to support the Native American Warrior Project.

“As someone that believes in the State of Oklahoma and supports all Oklahoma veterans, I would like to ask your participation in the Native American Warrior Project,” he wrote. “This is a Special Recognition Vision of the Force 50 Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of all Oklahoma Veterans.”

Nigh continued, “This project promotes the dedication of a First American Warrior monument at the newly established Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park on the southside of the State Capitol. We are asking all Oklahomans to support this project. Our success depends on you and the many good Oklahomans you know. Please help us spread the word within your community and assist us in our fundraising efforts to honor the heritage and military history of these special Oklahomans!”

The project has garnered support from prominent figures including former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer.

Reed also highlighted the creation of the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park at the state Capitol, which will feature the 45th Infantry Arch as its centerpiece. He said the Native American Warrior Monument will be the first of its kind in the nation and will honor the state’s diverse military history.

Native Americans have served in every major military conflict since the Revolutionary War. In the 20th century, more than 12,000 Native Americans served in World War I, and 10,000 Native women joined the Red Cross.

During World War II, over 44,000 Native Americans served, including nearly 800 women. Since 9/11, Native Americans have served at a higher per-capita rate than any other ethnic group. While their reasons for serving are as diverse as their tribal affiliations, many cite their desire to follow in the footsteps of family members and the cultural value placed on patriotism, duty, and Warrior traditions.

Reed said the Oklahoma Legislature appropriated $4.3 million for a 45th Infantry arch and site development.

“Even though the 45th Infantry arch will be the anchor monument to the new Veterans Park, what we are doing is going out and working to establish the other monuments and sculptures in the park. The first one being the Native American Warrior Monument,” he said.

Reed said the Veterans Park; the Veterans Arch and the Native American Warrior Monument have already been approved by the Oklahoma Arts Council.
“The Arts Council cannot put the project out to bid until we raise the funds. Once the funds are raised, invitations to bid on the project will only go out to Native American artists and sculptors,” he said.

Reed said his statewide tour is going well.

“We’re getting great newspaper coverage, front-page coverage on every rural newspaper in every rural city that we visit. So, we’re getting the word out,” he said.
Reed said he would like to have all the funds raised by early 2026, but construction on the project may not start until Fall 2026.“The Arch and the site development will all be

completed and dedicated sometime in the middle of next summer, 2026,” he said. “Until that’s dedicated, we can’t put another monument on there.”

Reed said he is grateful to play a part in Nigh’s vision for the project.

“He was my dear friend, and no one represented the state of Oklahoma better than George Nigh. There will never be another George Nigh in Oklahoma,” Reed said. “And so, this means everything to me to see this Veterans Park beginning with the Native American Warrior Monument to become a reality. Nothing means more to me, and I will not stop until we succeed.”

Check donations for the project can be mailed to 50 Foundation, PO box 722838 in Norman, Okla., 73070. Visit www.force50foundation.com or use your phone and scan the code below. • story by Van Mitchell, staff writer

People of all faiths love living at Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living and say it is one of the nation’s top senior living communities. Concierge services enhance the fun and friendly culture and the home’s focus on providing top-notch amenities and lifestyle.

Do you ever wish you had a personal assistant or someone on hand for certain situations? Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living provides a 24-hour Concierge for residents’ convenience. Concierge Director, Jessica Ledford, embodies the heart of Saint Ann’s mission to ease and enrich residents’ lives. Deeply committed to providing exemplary service, Jessica loves being there for people. Whether it’s a postage stamp, a finicky phone, or something more serious, Jessica is quick to offer help with a smile and a hug. As well as being a devoted wife, mother, and avid gardener, Jessica is a bona fide sports fanatic. She gets everyone fired up for game days. Her competitive spirit keeps things amusing as she arranges trivia contests, sports brackets, and contests for everyone to enjoy.

Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living is a ministry owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. People of all faiths love living there and say it is one of the nation’s top senior living communities. Concierge services enhance the fun and friendly culture and the home’s focus on providing top-notch amenities and lifestyle.

The Concierge desk is open around the clock to assist people in a myriad of ways. It functions as an information hub and is staffed by people who go the extra mile to simplify residents’ lives. From notary services and making copies, to opening jars or helping navigate online portals, Saint Ann’s Concierge is devoted to making residents’ lives easier. The Concierge department coordinates transportation to doctor appointments two days per week. It also manages daily deliveries from all types of stores, florists, pharmacies, and other vendors. The Concierge orders room service meals and reserves guest apartments and event areas for private parties. At its core, having a Concierge available day and night helps give residents peace of mind because they know someone is a phone call or short walk away. In assisted living, staff are also available to assist residents with personal care, medication administration, and individualized services.

Jessica Ledford manages the Concierge department. Trained as a massage therapist, Jessica says that, “Human touch is so important. Feeling a gentle hand on the shoulder of the warmth of a hug can be so comforting. Such a simple gesture lets residents know they are cared for.” Jessica is a true confidant-a sympathetic ear and a comforting shoulder, willing to take time to offer reassurance, kind conversations, or a heartfelt prayer. Jessica builds a personal relationship with residents as well as their families. Clarita, an independent living resident said, “Jessica is such a delight! Everyone in my family knows her, including my brother in Germany!”

After normal business hours, the Concierge staff also help with maintenance and housekeeping tasks like trash collection, replacing batteries, and resetting TV’s. Thanks to the Concierge, aromas of fresh coffee and cappuccino fill the “Beverage Bar” daily where people linger to laugh and chat.

At times, the Concierge Department is on the frontline in identifying potential health issues with independent living residents. Daily interaction with residents sometimes leads to noticing a change in cognition, mobility, hygiene, or behavior. If something seems off, the Concierge can help alert families. This heads-up often expedites the medical attention, medication adjustment, or in-home care that residents need. The Concierge makes “wellness checks” on independent living resident when requested by others or it is noticed they are conspicuously absent from events or dining. If a resident is unwell, the Concierge will order a complimentary room service meal delivered to their apartment.

Families say knowing the Concierge is on-site and available for their loved one is a tremendous comfort and asset. The Concierge department conducts security checks of the building, monitors cameras, and tracks weather events. They are trained in emergency preparedness protocols like putting out first floor hallway seating during tornado watches.

Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living has an outstanding life-enrichment program with numerous activities, entertainers, and things to do. Thanks to the evening and weekend Concierge, residents enjoy even more socials such as Thunder watch parties, weekend chair-volleyball practice, movies, Monday night hymn sing, and Friday night bingo.

Independent living resident, Michelle Tuttle, said, “Living at Saint Ann is like living on a cruise ship!” With housekeeping, maintenance, dining, and the Concierge on call, I don’t need to worry about anything. I can just relax and have fun.” Residents agree, Saint Ann’s Concierge Department is a blessing and a mainstay to Oklahoma City’s premier Senior Living Community.

Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living is located at 7501 West Britton Road in Oklahoma City between Council and Rockwell. Call Lisa or Jessica at (405) 721-0740 for a personal tour to see all Saint Ann has to offer. • story by Van Mitchell, staff writer

Nonprofit Socks for Seniors Oklahoma has been delivering more than 500 donated Christmas gift bags to veterans in the Norman Veterans Center who might not otherwise receive a gift since 2017.

Starting in 2013, founder Sue McMillan and a friend delivered 127 pairs of socks to three local nursing homes during their first holiday season, with the intention of making the recipients feel remembered and special. Staff informed them that for some residents, this would likely be the only Christmas gift they would receive.

This impactful experience, where the recipients’ joy was palpable, inspired McMillan to create the organization and expand the number of recipients. The heartfelt response from the recipients so touched McMillan that she has used her business administration background to solicit sponsors year-round, and the number of volunteers has grown significantly.

“This nonprofit’s mission became my passion,” McMillan said in an interview while working their booth at the Second Half Expo in October. “This has grown so much we must thank Morningstar Storage and Gate Keepers Storage for their generous donation of space. It may sound strange to point this out in an interview, but they allow us to store inventory and to work on the bags year-round.”

This program, which focuses on seniors and veterans who have limited family interaction and are at risk of feeling forgotten during the holidays, quickly evolved into a well-received 501 (c) (3) nonprofit. Many merchant sponsors in Oklahoma City have donated space in their stores, allowing customers to make direct donations.

Volunteers assemble holiday gift bags filled with personal care items. The organization relies on donations from the community and now many local businesses to fill the bags. Many community business sponsors recognize that by providing a simple, thoughtful gift, Socks for Seniors OK brings joy, comfort, and a reminder to seniors and veterans that they are valued members of the community.

Now, bags contain essential and comforting items, such as socks (especially diabetic socks), gloves, scarves, toiletries, lap blankets, and activity books. They put a special “Thank You For Your Service” card and an American flag in each of the veterans’ packages.
Socks for Seniors OK began serving veterans in the Norman Veterans Center to expand its mission beyond underserved nursing homes to serve military veterans. Delivering gifts to the center’s Alzheimer’s unit shows their commitment to helping veterans with specific needs. In 2024, the organization delivered gifts to 502 residents, accounting for over 20 percent of its total holiday gift packages.

Focusing on facilities with residents who have limited interaction with family, this is especially important for veterans who may have outlived family members or live far from relatives.

Gifts for the Norman Veterans Center, like those for all other veterans centers, are assembled and delivered by volunteers in December, creating a direct connection between the community and the veterans who have served.

Readers can volunteer or donate to Socks for Seniors OK by contributing their time, mailing monetary gifts or gift cards, or donating specific items from their wish list. The best time to volunteer is in November, but the organization accepts donations year-round.

Socks for Seniors OK relies on volunteers for many tasks throughout the year. To get started, readers can contact the organization directly through their website to express their interest.

Volunteers are needed year-round to assist in preparing items for the gift bags, including pairing socks, sorting donations, and delivering donation baskets to local businesses. Your help is crucial to our ongoing mission.

The busiest time for volunteers is the week after Thanksgiving and the first week of December, when the gift bags are assembled and delivered to local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Financial donations enable the organization to purchase items in bulk, often at more favorable prices. These items are then used to fill the veterans’ gift bags. Readers can mail a check or gift card to Socks for Seniors, OK, 3240 W Britton Road, Ste 103, Oklahoma City, OK 73120.
Their website provides a PayPal account for online donations. They need donations of new socks, particularly diabetic socks. Toiletries (small-sized) such as hand lotion, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lip balm, and deodorant are accepted.

They solicit comfort items such as gloves, scarves, caps, and lap blankets, as well as puzzle books, playing cards, and small notebooks and pens.
For readers’ shopping convenience, they can find the organization’s current gift list on Amazon by searching for “Socks for Seniors OK”. The best way to coordinate dropping off a large donation is to contact the organization via email at [email protected] to ensure someone is available to receive it.

Local businesses can participate by donating directly, displaying donation baskets, or sponsoring an employee donation drive.
For info on donating or volunteering, visit www.socksforseniorsok.org or scan the QR CODE below. •
story and photos by Darl DeVault, contributing editor

CAR/GUN/CYCLE SHOWS

Cruise-In to Bridging Vines
Nov 1, 2025 LOCATION: 11216 N Cimarron Rd Yukon, OK 73099 Note: This November, head to Yukon for the Cruise-In to Bridging Vines. Enjoy a classic car show, live music by classic rock band Intention and delicious food from Big Mama’s Spuds & Sweets.

Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend
Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 8, 2025 LOCATION: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Note: Come salute the best in the rodeo world at the Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend in Oklahoma City. Held at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Hall of Fame Class celebrates the story and people of rodeo culture.

Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2025 LOCATION: Honey Springs Battlefield Checotah, OK 74426 Note: Commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs with a special demonstration of the battle in Checotah near Rentiesville. Come and witness as costumed actors bring to life the largest military clash ever to have occurred in Oklahoma.

Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show
Nov 8, 2025 – Nov 9, 2025 LOCATION: Tulsa Expo Square Tulsa, OK 74153 Note: The Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show is one of the largest firearms shows in the world.

Cars N’ K9s
Nov 15, 2025 LOCATION: 201 S Division, Asher, OK Note: A benefit for animal rescues, featuring classic cars, trucks, imports, and bikes. It includes food trucks, vendors, and a chance to win a prize for bringing a toy for the Asher Angel Tree.

EV Car Show – By First United Bank –
Nov 15, 2025 LOCATION: 201 S Division, Asher, OK Note: A benefit for animal rescues, featuring classic cars, trucks, imports, and bikes. It includes food trucks, vendors, and a chance to win a prize for bringing a toy for the Asher Angel Tree.

More changes are coming for the VA Oklahoma City Healthcare System as it strives to meet the demands of a growing Veterans population in Oklahoma.
The latest was the opening of a new location in for the Women’s Health Clinic and specialty care clinics which are relocating from the VA Medical Center.
The North Portland VA Clinic will consist of two separate buildings and will cover a total of 25,604 square feet, said Wade Vlosich, Director of the Oklahoma City HealthCare System. The facilities will employ 75 staff members.
Building 5, located at 3625 NW 56th Street, will house the Women’s Health Clinic, Imaging, and Lab services. This relocation will provide the women’s Veteran population with a facility outside of the VA Medical Center.
This move will offer an environment for female Veterans who may feel uncomfortable using the medical center due to past trauma.
Building 3, located at 3613 NW 56th Street, will house Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Orthopedics, Podiatry, Urology, Optometry, Ophthalmology, and the Optical Shop.
“We will also be opening a mega clinic in Yukon,” Vlosich said. “We will be having a new hospital in Norman, so it will be a substance abuse treatment facility and a nursing home unit.”
Vlosich said rural America is needing more healthcare options including nursing home beds.
“What’s happened in the state of Oklahoma as rural America starts to see some collapse in healthcare, we’re losing nursing homes,” he said. “The VA does not have in the state of Oklahoma enough nursing home beds for veterans. We have been talking to the ODVA, and what we are looking at is a partnership because they have some unused beds. We are talking about making a share agreement where we will set up VA staff nursing homes in ODVA space because they are not able to fill that. And it meets the needs of both sides. We are looking at a partnership in Norman to expand nursing home beds there and in Sulfur and Ardmore. The VA is opening a new clinic in Stillwater.
Vlosich said the VA had a market assessment done for veteran needs and services in Oklahoma City and the rest of the state for potential future expansion.
“They did a market assessment, and they looked at all the workload for Oklahoma and how it compared to other states also growing in veteran population.
“They talked to us that if the growth in the city/state occurs, they’re expecting that we’ll need a clinic in Guthrie and Duncan in the near future,” he said.

U.S. Army Major (Ret.) Helen Freudenberger Holmes was a trailblazer. She was an Oklahoma journalist, historian, mother, teacher, politician, and Women’s Army Corps officer.

Holmes was born Dec. 16, 1915 – the daughter of German immigrants. She graduated as valedictorian from Coyle High School in 1932 and earned a journalism degree at Oklahoma A&M in 1936. In 1942, Holmes was part of the first Officers Candidate Class of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). Her service ended due to medical disability.

After graduating from Oklahoma A&M she became editor of the Maud Daily Enterprise. She was the first woman to teach journalism at Oklahoma A&M, which became Oklahoma State University.

Holmes was the first woman in Oklahoma to be sworn into the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps due to the death of her mother, which resulted in her being sworn in before the rest of the first class of recruits.

She served in Washington, D.C, as the WAC’s public relations officer. She was promoted to captain as an intelligence officer. After a diagnosis of tuberculosis, she returned stateside and was among the first group of patients to be treated with penicillin. She was promoted to major and in 1948 retired from active duty. She passed away in 1997.
In 2019 and 2020 Holmes was posthumously inducted into the US Army Women’s Foundation, the Oklahoma Historians, the Oklahoma Journalism and the Oklahoma Women’s halls of fame and was named a Distinguished Alumna of the Oklahoma State University College of Arts and Sciences in 2021.

Her military uniform and several items were donated to the Oklahoma Historical Society in Oklahoma City and are on permanent display.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, Holmes and four other Oklahoma State University Veterans will be honored as part of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation Hall of Honor. A ceremony will be held prior to the OSU-Kansas State football game at the Wes Watkins Center on the OSU campus in Stillwater and will be recognized on the field of Boone Pickens Stadium just before kickoff.

Holmes married Robert F. Holmes in 1949 and was widowed in 1962. The couple had three children, all of whom graduated from OSU. “She had many firsts,” Andrea (Holmes) Volturo, Holmes’ daughter said. “She accomplished so much from the start.”

In addition to her other accomplishments, Holmes served on the Guthrie City Council and in 1979 was elected mayor and served until 1981.

She wrote a two-volume history of Logan County, Oklahoma, from which she received many accolades, including from former United States Senator David Boren.

“I want to congratulate you on this memorable occasion,” Boren wrote in a letter to Holmes. “What you have accomplished is more than public service. By your efforts you have preserved the history of your city, Guthrie, for its citizens and the entire state of Oklahoma. Your compilation will keep the history of Guthrie alive for both new and future citizens to read and enjoy. No area of our state has been more important to the growth and success of Oklahoma than the City of Guthrie.”

While Holmes contracted tuberculosis in Germany, Volturo said her mother was placed in a sanitarium stateside to recover.

Volturo said during her recovery, her mother reflected on what she could do with her life and give back.

“She was in the military, and she contracted tuberculosis while serving in Germany, and it was advanced, and they sent her home to a sanitarium, and it was horrific,” Volturo said. “And back then, with tuberculosis, you weren’t expected to survive. She reflected while she was in the sanitarium and said I want to pay for my space. This is kind of how she looked at it. After she retired with disability, which is how we survived, she got into volunteer work.”
Volturo said her mother’s most significant accomplishment as a political leader for the architectural renovation of Guthrie.

As part of a committed group of community activists, there was a successful lobbying effort by the Oklahoma Congressional delegation to procure funding for brick sidewalks, streetlamps, and facade restoration. Federal appropriation and funding were $1 million.

This became the largest continuous Urban Development Action Grant in America at the time, exceedingly even that of New York City.

Guthrie became a model throughout America and other communities for historical renovation. This set the stage for the arts to flourish.

In addition, under Holmes’ leadership, Guthrie won a key lawsuit against Oklahoma City to protect its municipal water rights and expanded the city limits to capture business expansion for inclusion in the city tax base.

Mobile meals were also initiated in Guthrie. Finally, buses for the Aging Council were purchased when Holmes personally pledged her own funds as security to meet a tight deadline of only a few days and subsequently raised $35,000 in the community for a matching grant.

In 2024, the Major Helen F. Holmes Memorial Highway was designated in her honor in the town of Guthrie.

“She was very proud of her service,” Volturo said. •
story by Van Mitchell, staff writer