MIKE McCORMICK This Saturday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day where we have the chance to remember and observe those who have served in the military and those currently in our Armed Forces.
The calendar on my cell phone indicates Veterans Day is observed on Friday, Nov. 10. From what I understand about it, many businesses, local, state and federal governmental entities get the day off from work since the holiday day itself is on a weekend day.
I suspect there will be many observances on Saturday the actual Veterans Day.
To me, this is a very important day because it’s an opportunity to honor those who have served in the military, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in order for us to enjoy the freedoms we do today.
I was honored to have had the privilege to serve in the military. The United States Armed Forces is strong today and needs to remain that way in the future.
I ran across a partial list recently of some of those I served with who are from this area and who I run into or have contact with occasionally. They include Bill Ford, who was my first company commander, Gary Slate, Rick Brown, Jesse Fields, Richard Spencer, Perry Dan McKinley, Clayton Eads, Stanley Austin, Buck Day.
My dad served in World War II as did two of his older brothers. I also had an uncle, my mother’s older brother, who served in the Army during that war and an uncle, my mother’s younger brother, who served during the late 1950s and 60s.
I’m sure there will be observances in this area, across the state and throughout the nation commemorating all those men and women who have given their lives. They will also honor those veterans who have served during the wars and conflicts and who are still serving our country today.
A kid who lived across the street from us for a while when I was growing up not only served in the military but he also gave his life for this great nation.
His name was Reggie King. He was about a year and a half younger than I was and went to a different high school than I did. He and I ran around some before we moved several blocks away during February of my senior year.
I lost track of him because when I entered college I came to Shawnee and was home on weekends my freshman year.
Reggie’s dream was to be a Marine. He talked about it all the time we were around one another. He wanted a career in the military and the Vietnam War was going strong at the time.
I was either in or had just finished my junior year of college when I learned that Reggie had been killed in the war. His mom was still living in Oklahoma City in our former neighborhood and had informed my mother about his death.
When “The Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial” came to Shawnee in August 2009, I went and viewed it. I also took that piece of paper they gave us and etched on it his full name, Reginald D. King.
I placed it in my desk drawer at home where it lies today.
Even though I served in the United States Army Reserves for 13 years, I plan to thank those veterans I come in contact with today for their service.
I hope others will as well.