Josie Hill, a 97-year-old resident of Villagio of Bradford Village Assisted Living at 300 Hadwiger Drive in Edmond calls Charlie McGregor, a 106-year-old resident of the same facility, her hero for helping liberate France, including her hometown of Marseilles from Nazi occupation during World War II.
And, it was Hill’s honor last month to present McGregor, a U.S. Army veteran with his World War II service medals to him that were lost in transition after returning home from the war.
Oklahoma U.S. Senator James Lankford worked with McGregor’s family to help get his war medals finally awarded to him, and have Hill present them to him.
McGregor was presented with the following medals by Hill:
• Good Conduct Medal
• American Defense Service Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 bronze service star
• World War II Victory Medal
• Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII
• Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar
“I am honored to do this,” Hill said. “I’m sorry, it’s hard for me to hold my tears back since the first day I met you knowing that you knew the country where I came from. Not only the country, but the area where I’m from. I love you Charlie and I present you with all these beautiful thanks that you deserve.”
McGregor thanked Hill, his family, and friends for coming to his medal ceremony.
“I thank you all for coming down. There’s such a big crowd giving me attention. I look at my daughters and my nephew and niece. I’m thankful for each one of you for being here today to give me this honor. Thank you,” he said.
Lankford also sent a letter congratulating McGregor on receiving his service medals.
The letter read, “Dear Sergeant McGregor, congratulations on your receipt of your long-awaited service decorations, particularly your Bronze Service Star. The bravery you displayed across your career makes you a worthy recipient of this great honor. Thank you for wearing the Cloth of Our Nation. Our country owes a debt of gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives to preserving the liberties and freedoms that we all enjoy. On behalf of the great state of Oklahoma and our entire nation, thank you for guaranteeing the safety and security of its people. I have no doubt your story will continue to inspire, uplift and transform the lives of many. I hope you enjoy a wonderful day as you celebrate this great honor. In God we trust, James Lankford, United States Senator for Oklahoma.”
On July 10th, 1941, McGregor, a Kansas native was drafted into the United States Army. He was sent to Virginia to train in the infantry. His wife Mildred stayed with him in Virginia and later went back to Kansas when she discovered she was pregnant.
On May 30th, 1944, he deployed from New York City to the European front of World War II. On June 1, 1944, his first child was born. Due to wartime silence prior to D-Day, he did not receive the information of the birth for several weeks.
McGregor landed in Scotland on June 6, 1944, D-Day. From Scotland, he traveled on a troop train to England, and from there was sent to Marseilles, France.
In the meantime, Hill a young French teenager, had witnessed the invasion of France by the Nazis and suffered from hunger, and many of the traumas suffered by the French people at the hands of the Nazi invasion. She also vividly remembers the liberation of France by the US Army. She did not know Charlie, and he did not know Josie.
McGregor returned to Kansas in November 1945. His Army service medals were somehow lost in confusion at the end of the war. He farmed in Kansas and Oklahoma and had three more children. He and his wife moved from the farm to Bradford Village in 2006, and then to Bradford Village Assisted Living after his wife’s passing.
McGregor served four years, four months, and four days in the war and was stationed in Marseilles, France.
He said that was an eye-opening experience.
“It was an education, that was for sure. I didn’t know anything. I was just a high school student,” he said. “I got promoted several times. I used to be a company clerk, then they made me a platoon corporal, and then they made me a platoon sergeant, then they made me a staff sergeant in charge of the supply room.”
McGregor traveled to Europe with about 18,000 other troops on the Queen Elizabeth ship.
“When they were going to invade France, they sent the Queen Elizabeth to pick up a bunch of us in New York. Picked up 18,000 of us,” he said. “We crossed the ocean in five days. My first child was born while I was overseas. The Red Cross let me know that I had a daughter named Judy. I wouldn’t get to see her for another year-and-a-half.”
After the war, McGregor and his wife returned to her family farm south of Honeywell, Kansas whose property extended across the Oklahoma state line.
McGregor took over his father-in-law’s farming operation after he passed away.
McGregor and his wife raised four daughters, and have 11 grandchildren, 30+ great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
McGregor spends each day reading his Bible, and says he always learns something new.
He also recites the same prayer each night.
“God, I’ll see you in the morning, your house or mine,” McGregor said.
McGregor said he has lived a great life, and he is not afraid of death. He said he looks forward to the day when he enters the Kingdom of Heaven.
“From what I read in the Bible, my mouth may fall open and I may not be able to close it for two or three days,” he said. story/photo by Van Mitchell

State and local dignitaries, accompanied by many veterans and family members of the inductees, led a ‘Del City High School Remembrance and Wall of Honor Induction’ on May 3 at the new Kalsu Plaza, at his namesake DCHS stadium. The significant community presence was a testament to the collective respect and honor for our fallen heroes, showcasing the community’s active role in the ceremony.

When a statue memorializing Army 1st Lt. James Robert (Bob) Kalsu was unveiled March 29, on Vietnam War era Veterans Day last year, his wife Jan remarked he would have asked, “What about the other Del City students who died in Vietnam?”

On May 5 of this year, the other seven DCHS alumni killed in action during the Vietnam War were commemorated on the Robert Kalsu Stadium’s new Wall of Honor. This Wall of Honor, located in the plaza adjacent to his statue, serves as a permanent tribute to these brave soldiers.

A Del City football star, Kalsu, gave up a promising NFL career after starring at OU by showing his patriotism in honoring his commitment to serve in the U.S. Army. He lost his life in service to his country in Vietnam.

Seven of his fellow students now have bronze plaques on the Wall of Honor, each telling a unique and poignant story of their lives and military service. These personal narratives serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave DCHS students, fostering a sense of connection and empathy from all who will view them.

The United States Marine Corps is represented by 1st Lt. Tom Burton (Class of 1962), Lance Cpls. Jimmy Mullins (Class of 1965), Ricky Sanders (Class of 1966) and Leslie Jones (Class of 1967). The United States Army is represented by Capt. Mike Hope (Class of 1958), Pfcs. Michael Saunders and Gary Parsons (both Class of 1965).

“It is always an honor and humbling experience to attend events honoring our fallen heroes,” said retired USN Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic, former undersecretary of the Navy. “It was especially gratifying to be invited to the recent Dedication/Remembrance Wall of Honor ceremony at Dec City High School. Under the leadership of retired Navy Captain John Keilty, all Del City students who answered the call to serve and were killed in action in Vietnam were honored. These young men walked the halls, played on fields around campus and learned in the classrooms.”

Each inductee was enshrined with a bronze plaque detailing their life and service during the solemn ceremony held that Saturday afternoon. These plaques serve as a lasting testament to the enduring legacy of these fallen heroes, inspiring future generations of DCHS students with their courage and sacrifice while instilling a sense of inspiration and respect.

The Robert Kalsu Legacy Group was co-founded by Mid-Del School Board Member Gina Standridge and Oklahoma State Rep. Andy Fugate, with the support of many other patriotic community leaders. The Legacy Group raised $200K for the statue and plaques. MTM Recognition of Del City cast the statue and plaques, and Willowbrook Construction built the pedestal. The Mid-Del District Maintenance Department installed the new Wall of Honor.

Kalsu graduated from DCHS in 1963, was an All-American at the University of Oklahoma and an All-Rookie Team member for the Buffalo Bills. He became the only active NFL player to die in the Vietnam War.

“I believe the Memorial Plaza at the main gate of the football field is a fitting location for The Wall of Honor,” Slavonic said in an interview. “It will remind students, parents, relatives, friends and anyone coming to an event at the Del City High School Eagles football field how proud the high school is of the sacrifice of these former students who were young and proud to wear the cloth of their nation in time of conflict.”

Additionally, Captain Keilty reached out to the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation (OMHF) to establish the OMHF Del City Robert Kalsu Chapter as part of its Hall of Honor.

The “Hall of Honor” will be located at the Del City Community Center. The Hall will honor the 22 Del City citizens who died in military service from World War II to Iraqi Freedom.

“Hopefully, other communities will follow Del City in recognizing their citizen veterans for their sacrifice and service to our country,” Slavonic said. The Del City Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion played a crucial role in organizing and conducting the ceremony, partnered with Legacy Group, and Del City Navy Junior ROTC members as the honor guard.

“The day was special for 17 Del City Navy Junior ROTC students who participated in the presentation of our nation’s colors and the reading of the individual citations,” Keilty said in an interview. “A special thanks goes out to all the Del City service organizations and the city of Del City, including the proud members of our VFW, who stood outside the plaza for the whole ceremony to provide a rendering of honors at the end.”
story/photo by Darl Devault, contributing editor

Downstairs, a collection of 96-years of cars and pick-up trucks held many aficionados’ attention. Upstairs, people learned about Route 66, also known as America’s Main Street and the Mother Road, by walking through cubicles that explained it’s history, gathered information in the Route 66 Community Center, looked at goods and services offered by 80 vendors and played games in a large Kid’s Activity Zone.

Ron Watkins of the Green Country Classic Mustang Club said 220 vehicles checked in for the car show. From a 1929 Ford Roadster to a 2025 Ford Mustang, there were polished and gleaming Chevrolet Cameros and Bel Airs, Ford Fairlane Victorias and Falcon GTs, Plymouth Firebirds and Barracudas, Dodge Challengers and Darts, and a variety of pick-up trucks. Car owners were happy to explain engines, body panels, tires and paint techniques to admiring guests. Awards were given to the Top 3 in 30 classes of vehicles.

Many visitors journeyed into Route 66’s past by visiting seven interactive, eight-foot-tall octagons in exhibits called “The Journey” that explained each decade (1920s – 1990s to Today). Each octagon held one or two vehicles, actors in period clothing, artifacts, historical facts, photographs, and lists of popular music that made up its ten-year period. For instance, the 1950s cubicle showed off a glossy 1959 Ford Galaxie Fairlane and the front end of a diner with a row of stools and a waitress that visitors could talk with. Several people were surprised to learn the route was created in 1926 and removed from the U.S. Highway system in 1985, a period of 59 years.
At the Presentation Stage, seats filled up to listen to a variety of “about the road” topics from writers, photographers and travelers of Route 66. On Saturday, Jim Ross and Shellee Graham discussed their new book, “Route 66: The First 100 Years”; Michael Wallis shared two personal stories about hitchhiking in the 1980s and 1990s; Richard Rawlings, the star of the popular Reality TV Show “Fast N’ Loud” and who owns Gas Monkey Garage, talked about car culture; Jennifer Rogers, Will Rogers’ great granddaughter, presented “Will Rogers & Route 66”; and Jim Hinckley provided a dark view of the Mother Road with his “Murder and Mayhem on the Main Street of America.”

Hinkley, author of over 20 books, told me, “This Road Fest is probably one of the best events on Route 66, blending education with good old fashion family fun. It’s the magic of Route 66 made manifest.”

In between presenters, the Red Dirt Rangers, Weston Horn, of Weston Horn & The Hush rock and roll band, and Daniel Jordan played together, as did the Annie Ellicott Duo.

On Sunday, Joe Sonderman from Missouri, another prolific Route 66 writer, gave his “Must Sees on Route 66,” Joey Madia discussed “Cyrus Avery: Father of The Mother Road” and planners from Claremore, Sapulpa and Tulsa talked about their plans for the route’s Centennial year in 2026.

Next to the stage, 19 vintage travel trailers from the 1940s to the 1970s parked in the Vintage Trailer Resort. Lots of families ducked inside them to see original and nearly-original furnishings.
At the Route 66 Community area, people learned about towns on or near it, state associations that promote and preserve it, and museums and hotels on its sideroads. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association manned a booth to explain all about Oklahoma’s Main Street. It’s President, Rhys Martin, said, “Route 66 has been called a linear village, and the Route 66 Road Fest is a great example of how true that is. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association was joined by folks from all eight Route 66 states to showcase how special this road is to so many people. We all hope our enthusiasm and education leads people to take road trips of their own.”

Steve Brant operates the Spirit of America museum in Stroud. He manned a booth in the Route 66 Community area. Brant said “people were delighted to discover the Route 66 Spirit of America Museum exists just down the road from the Rock Café…And they were happy to learn the museum will be launching the ‘American Moonshot Project,’ to help America break free of the culture of hate and division and adopt a culture of love and cooperation instead.”

Steve Sibley attended with his wife and brother. Asked what he thought of the Road Fest, he said, “It’s pretty cool – the cars, the booths that represent the different timelines and they have people dressed in character.” Road Fest wasn’t just a trip down memory lane for the middle aged who drove it 40 or more years ago – plenty of couples with children walked through the exhibits too.

Children had their own playground, the Kid’s Play Zone. Coupons could be bought for $1 each to participate in a Boy Scout-run Pinewood Derby, Hot Wheels and pedal car races, 18-hole mini golf, learn art or play 21st century virtual reality games. Although the area was mostly filled with children, a few adults were spotted racing cars and playing mini golf with their kids.

AAA organizers hoped for 12,000 attendees over the two-day period, which would be 2,000 more than in 2024. “We really hope our guests experience Route 66, which is celebrating its history and culture,” said Ben Young, Director of AAA’s Brand, Content, and Publications. “Our main goal is to get people exploring all that Route 66 has to offer.”

After picking up travel information about Route 66, it appeared visitors were ready to jump in their vehicles and cruise America’s Main Street upon leaving, perhaps starting in Tulsa, which has 28 miles, then continuing for the rest of Oklahoma’s portion of Route 66, about 400 miles.
story/photos by Richard Stephens, Lt. Col, USAF Retired