Thank you to everyone who came out Memorial Day to pay homage to our deceased veterans; those who didn’t come home from service and all our other veterans who fought for our freedoms.
It was a poignant ceremony and on behalf of the Stroud American Legion and Auxiliary, I would like to also thank all those that participated. Those taking part in the service were Jerry Murfin (invocation), Genevieve Holland and Stacey Glenn (songs), Aleta Smalley (poem), Mike Mitchell (remembrance) Delmer Summers (laying of wreath), and Danielle Stangl and Emeri Bradley (echo taps). American Legion members also honored the fallen with a 3-volley salute.
Paying tribute were Commander Michael Horwath, Matthew Cockrum, Santiago Miranda, Stewart Wright, Jared Null, Jeremy Hall, Michael Williams, and Michael Ramsey. Every person attending received a poppy lapel pin from the Auxiliary to wear in remembrance.
It was great seeing all the alums in town for Alumni Weekend. I enjoyed spending the day with my class, class of 1974, as we celebrated our fifty-year reunion. Becky Hopper was the committee chairperson who planned our gathering along with committee members David and Janet Griebel, Bill Bailey, Don Miller, Cheryl Hodge, Linda Flatt Clyma, Kathy Teters Riley, and Judy Thoma.
The banquet Saturday night was one of the best I’ve attended. Curtis Green stole the show with his enthusiastic sense of humor when he led the individual classes in their battle to win the Spirit Stick.
The class of 1974 gave it our best shot but Class of 1984 “outspirited” us all and won the spirit award. Veterans graduating from Stroud High School served as Grand Marshalls of the parade on Saturday afternoon. At the banquet Curtis Green asked each veteran in attendance to stand and then took the microphone around to each one asking them their name, rank, and branch of service.
This was a great addition to the banquet. Phil Mauldin traveled with his wife and two daughters all the way from North Carolina to spend the day with the class of 1974.
Phil retired from the army with the rank of Colonel and my class was thrilled to have him recognized at the banquet.
I want to let you know that I will be taking the summer off from writing Town Talk. Thank you to everyone who has told me they appreciate my column and look forward to reading it.
When I miss a week, you readers even check on me to make sure I’m “still kicking.” If you have a question about something going on around town though, feel free to call me at (918)527-9833.
We have a beautifully restored Lincoln County Express train engine because a reader, Glenda Funk, picked up the phone and told me about this hidden gem. Our patriotic Main Street looked wonderful for all our guests this past weekend.
Thank you to City Manager Bob Pearman and his crew and all our community volunteers who continually help to make Stroud the best place to live in Oklahoma.
Have a great week and thank you for continuing to shop local………………….first!