Dear Editor:
I want to thank American Legion Post 125 for the moving and inspirational Memorial Day ceremony at the IOOF Cemetery in Watonga. Lead by Commander Neal Riley and Adjutant Doug Parker, the Post decorated the graves of veterans. The ceremony included a welcome by the commander and prayer by post chaplain. The Stars and Stripes were raised by members of the Blaine County Sheriff’s Department. The main speaker, Sheriff Travis Daugherty, praised veterans, especially Dow Lee Daugherty, Specialist 4th Class of the 69th Combat Engineers, US Army and survivor of the Vietnam War including the 1968 Tet Offensive. Specialist Daugherty is Sheriff Daugherty’s own father, and the father of Watonga Fire Chief, Robert Daugherty.
The ceremony was appointed with a beautiful patriotic song by Watonga band co-director Miranda Spurlin and Taps played by Aaron Clewell. Seven Legion members fired a 21-gun salute. The post chaplain closed the ceremony with words of comfort for loved ones of those lost in service.
As we approach the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion of Europe on June 6 to free Europe from the Nazis, it is important to remember our war dead. Remembering our war dead is the first and primary purpose of Memorial Day, though many take the opportunity to decorate the graves and remember family members.
The next patriotic holidays include the United States National Flag Week starting Sunday, June 9 -15. I encourage everyone to fly their American Flags all week to show pride and respect for our National “Old Glory”, the “Stars and Stripes”, and the “Red, White and Blue”. And attend the Flag Day Ceremony on Saturday, June 15 at 10 a.m. at the T.B. Ferguson Home Museum.
And finally, I thank the Watonga Public Schools, parents, and especially the American Legion (and Auxiliary) for their support of Oklahoma Boys State and Oklahoma Girls State. I understand three Watonga young men and six Watonga young ladies attended this week-long program to teach “leadership skills and civic engagement techniques while honoring America's heroes”.
Joe P. Bryan CAPT (0-6), Medical Corps, United State Navy Reserve (Retired)