VIEW: 18-47: Good People Doing Good

Final 'catch-up' column. Sorry for the interruption. Bob

VIEW FROM HERE
By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson) Number 18-47
GOOD PEOPLE DOING GOOD Week of 2018/11/19
For a more pleasant change of pace after the recent hectic two year election season, the need
for more relaxing and pleasing subjects is obvious. One subject immediately evident is the
immediate holiday now labeled "Veterans Day". My church home, "Kirk of the Hills-Presbyterian"
has for the last several years on the last Thursday preceding November 11 held a veterans
recognition luncheon. Thursday is chosen because it is the day of the week for our regular
veterans club, originally founded in 1996 as World War II Vets of Tulsa and now All Veterans
Association morning meeting at The Kirk. Sadly, two of the founders were no longer with us,
one, Al Price, having passed to Heaven the week before.
To back up a bit, at our October 25 meeting we were pleasantly surprised by being joined by
two of the First Congressional District staff members, Ashley Wells and Cam Thomas. They had
both attended a previous meeting or two and so were considered 'associate members'. With the
resignation from Congress by Jim Bridenstine upon his appointment to head NASA, the office had
remained open to service constituents, which had been done promptly and efficiently in his
absence. Unfortunately for them, the victorious run-off candidate had not committed to retain
the existing staff, as had two of the original primary candidates. We were advised that their
tenure would end with the end of the general election on November 6.
To our surprise, gratitude, and delight they had obtained from the office of the Architect of
the Capitol a flag that had been flown over the Capitol Building on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017.
Included in the gift was a certificate of the flying date. We were all deeply touched, and I
was directed to see to it that they were invited to the meeting on November 8 and to the Kirk
Luncheon. This was done, but they may have been instructed to not attend, according to some of
the House rules that they must still follow.
At the following meeting two of our members were found to have fixed, vertical flag poles at
our homes, and with the agreement of the members the flag was flown on my pole on Saturday,
November 3 and at the home of C. R. Layton on Monday, the 12th. After which a visit to Hobby
Lobby netted a frame for both which were attached with removable hooks for display.
At the lunch for veterans, ROTC cadets from Nathan Hale High School provided the crossed saber
path into the dining room, presentation of the flag, a 'rifle twirling' demonstration, a sheet
cake for desert to be cut military style using sabers by a vet from each war, and by surprise
to the Church staff, the ceremonial folding of the flag. It seemed that we should have flown
it a little longer at each house as it was slightly stiff to be easily folded properly, but was
accomplished after which it was placed in the frame, they were re-connected and shown to those
in attendance.
The staff member responsible for all the arrangements gave a talk on letters home with
pictures from her father during World War I, since this Veterans Day on November 11 marks 100
years since the surrender was signed in a railroad car "on the eleventh hour of the eleventh
day of the eleventh month in 1918". That war was to be "The War to end all Wars". They were
not very good at guessing were they?
On behalf of our membership, I wish to thank Ashley and Cam, Kirk of the Hills, Nathan Hale
High School ROTC and commander, Major Mike Maguffee, USArmy (Ret) and those who attended to
show there support. It is in our memories for years to come.
END
Composed November 09, 2018
Robert W. McDowell, Jr. © 2018 841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow OK 74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com