Veterans were honored with a downtown parade and a ceremony at VFW Post 3916 in Durant on Veterans Day.
Brian Cooper, VFW post commander, said the day is more than a date on a calendar.
“It is a solemn reminder of the courage, resilience and sacrifices that have safeguarded the nation’s freedoms and shaped its history,” Cooper said. “Our veterans come from every corner of America. From every background and walk of life. What unites them is a shared commitment to something greater than themselves. A willingness to serve, to endure hardship and when called upon, to sacrifice for the ideals we hold dear.”
Cooper spoke of Major General Clarence L. Tinker, who was born in the Osage Nation. Tinker was the first Native American to obtain the rank of major general in the U.S. Army and the first general officer killed during World War II. During the Battle of Midway, Tinker led a bombing mission against the Japanese fleet. His aircraft and crew were lost at sea.
“His leadership, courage and ultimate sacrifice are remembered today through Tinker Air Force Base, named in his honor,” Cooper said. “His story reminds us that bravery is not just about facing danger. It’s about leading with conviction, even when the cost is great.
“So, how do we honor such service? By teaching our children the value of freedom and the cost at which it comes. We honor it by listening to veterans’ stories, by supporting them in their transitions and by ensuring the receive the car and respect they deserve.”
Durant City Manager Pam Polk thanked veterans for keeping peace and democracy in the United States. Her youngest son served seven years in the Army National Guard.
“They will leave a legacy that is passed down from generation to generation to protecting our way of life and our freedom,” Polk said. “I encourage us all to follow their lead and do what we can all do to live the life that they live and to honor what each of you that have served and continue to serve do for our city, our state and our country. Thank you, to the families.”
State Rep. Cody Maynard talked about going on a tour of Normandy, France, when he was in college. He said that everywhere they stopped in Normandy, people thanked them for what American soldiers had done. Maynard visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. last year. The wall is etched with 58,000 names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and Maynard said roughly 1,000 of them were from Oklahoma.
“I’m here today to tell you one thing, the only thing I hope you truly remember, is that I’m here to say thank you for those that have served and just also for your families because there’s service on both sides and sacrifices on both sides that while you are out and away, that your families are having to make things work at home,” Maynard said.
State Sen. David Bullard said one of the greatest things he saw that morning were the children lined up for the parade.
“I’m thankful for our schools here that place that priority to show the kids that you have to honor those who came before you,” Bullard said. “Ronald Reagan was famous for saying that there are people who spend their entire lives finding meaning and searching for meaning. The American soldier does not have to do that. Both of my grandparents served in World War II and my wife’s grandfather served in World War II as well.”
The reason Bullard said he became a history teacher was because of hearing the stories of his grandfathers.
He spoke of his wife Amber’s grandfather, Manuel Russell, who was a machine gunner during World War II. Bullard said that Russell lost all of his toenails to frostbite in France.
“He said that he couldn’t wait for some action to start up because he would start shooting those shells and that warm brass would go down on his feet and warmed his feet,” Bullard said.
Bullard said it is a privilege to live in the U.S.
“This is the most exceptional nation ever built on God’s earth, but it’s exceptional because of veterans like you and I want you to know I’m truly honored to serve you and serve with you and listen to you and fight for you because you fought for me,” Bullard said.
Hayden Woods is the American Legion Post 39 commander and he served in a submarine when he was in the U.S. Navy.
“One of the other things that you’ll find and I always found fascinating, every veteran, every military service member here will call each other brother and sister,” Woods said. “To most civilians, they don’t understand that. Why do you call them brother? Why do you call them sister? It’s really simple because that person probably has been in the same situations that I have. Have walked in the same footprints that I have walked. Shared the blood. Seen things that they should never have seen. Fear that they had and I know as veterans we do not like talking about fear but let’s be honest. The first time you hear something go zing past your head, it will put the lights back into you because you’ll get excited.”
Woods said the day is for veterans.
“This is not Memorial Day,” he said. “This is our day. This is a veterans day. We are here to show camaraderie. We are here to show that we will not be forgotten.”
