From the Editor
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 6
From the Editor
Thank you for your service
It’ s one of those things that in retrospect seems obvious.
A magazine that honors our local veterans aligns with our mission and principles, it timed nicely with veteran memorials in the coming weeks and it offers another chance for great storytelling. It was also fresh on our minds because News Press reporter Jessica Marshall had recently been honored at the American Legion state conference for her veterans’ coverage.
If there was one drawback, it’ s that there are too many stories to fit into one space. Some people or organizations are going to maybe feel left out, but we have to leave ourselves room for original stories in the years to come.
In our first effort, we had the opportunity to let the Oklahoma State University delegation tell in their own words the experience of uncovering Oklahoma history tied to World War II in the Philippines. We are grateful to Laura Arata and students for their efforts.
We are also grateful to be able to uncover some of our town’ s ties to WW2 and other areas of service. It really makes you think about how these people, through their service and sacrifice, all played a role at different turning points in world history.
It’ s also such a great thing to see how service to country has been followed by service to community with so many of our veterans. They still give of themselves to make things better for all of us – scholarships, grants, beatification projects, health care initiatives, memorial services, mental health support and the list goes on and on. It’ s truly a blessing.
Sincerely, thank you for your service, then and now.
STORY BY Beau Simmons Editor Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
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CROSSING AN OCEAN FOR HISTORY
Tracing Stillwater ' s World War II legacy in the Philippines
ACE THE WAR DOG
Stillwater is home to a unique memorial
HONORING THE GREATEST GENERATION
WWII vet Solomon Castleberry, now a centenarian
THE STUDENT SOLDIER
What ' s it like to serve and study?
SALUTE TO LOCAL VETERANS
Readers share their tributes
OSU ROTC
Lessons in leadership, discipline
QUILTS OF VALOR
A healing service for those who served
OKLAHOMA MILITARY HERITAGE FOUNDATION
Impact growing throughout Oklahoma
A VETERAN ' S TALE
Autumn Hansen shares her stories
GIVING BACK
American Legion, VFW keep community in focus
PREMIERE MEMORIAL SITE
Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens still growing
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 6