ENID, OK - Woodring Wall of Honor organizers and other support groups are gearing up for Veterans Day on November 11, 2017. There will be many festivities to participate in and to show your support for our military.
-
The Enid Moose Riders will host their 5th annual Ride to Remember on November 4 at 10:00am. The 100 mile motorcycle and car cruise will take riders through NW Oklahoma’s various Armed Forces Static Displays and Veterans Parks. Registration begins at 10:00am at the M.L. Becker Educational Center at the Woodring Wall of Honor at Woodring Airport. First bike out or “kickstands up” promptly at 11:00am. A meal and auction will follow the ride slated to end at approx. 3-4:00pm.
-
Registration is $20 and includes a set of dog tags bearing the name of a Vietnam veteran. Pre-Registration can be completed at Cycle Ward or online at www.getmeregistered.com. All proceeds benefit the Woodring Wall of Honor and Vietnam Memorial Wall/Educational Center projects. For further information contact Cycle Ward at (580) 237-6933.
-
The Blue Star Mothers and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 940 will host the annual Veterans Day Parade. The event, held on the downtown square, will honor all veterans past and present. All WWII veterans are encouraged to contact Brenda Bingham at (580) 747-3637 to be included as Parade Marshals. Veterans will be riding in cars, floats and other military vehicles. Parade entry forms can be picked up at the Enid Welcome Center, corner of Owen K. Garriott and Independence. For further information contact Larry Stephens at (580) 747-4553 or Bingham. Schools are encouraged to enter bands in the parade along with businesses and other social service groups. Entry deadline is Friday, November 3.
-
The Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park, Veteran Service Groups and the Air Force Association will be hosting the annual Veterans Day Ceremonies observing the 35st anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. The Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park is located at 1026 S. 66th St. in Enid, Oklahoma. The groups will be furnishing a free lunch for veterans beginning at 11:30am, Saturday, November 11th. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the multi-purpose hanger at Woodring Airport near the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veteran’s Park. Handicapped parking is provided.
-
Emceed by Jon Enns, District 41 Representative, the opening entertainment will begin at 12:50pm with an 80 piece children’s choir, from Taft Elementary, will share the branch of service songs and a medley of patriotic music. They will also present our national anthem. Prior to the opening ceremony, at approx. 11:30am, the names of more than 990 Oklahomans who lost their lives in Vietnam and the POW/MIA still missing in action will be recited as part of the 35th anniversary promise to preserve the legacy of the Vietnam veterans. The actual program begins officially at 1:00pm and should be complete by 2:00pm. The keynote speaker will be US Senator, Jim Inhofe.
-
A time capsule, filled with historical information, will be entombed as part of the day’s activities. Col. Darrel Judy, Wing Commander from VAFB, will dedicate the M.L. Becker Educational Center and Museum and open it to the public. For further information contact Elaine Johns (580) 478-3034 or elaine.johns@advancepierre.com or George Pankonin at (580) 234-1222.
-
A Veterans Day Concert and Dance will be hosted by the Moose Lodge featuring the George Brothers Band. The event is open to the public and free to all veterans at the lodge. Non-veteran costs is $10 per person. A meal will be served at 6:30pm. Cost is $6 per person for all you can eat chili and potato bar. For further information contact Don Kirkley (580) 747-0536.
-
The walls we see in Enid bear the names of many heroes, men joined in a brotherhood of service. Engraved on the Woodring Wall of Honor’s living walls are two brothers…..brothers that grew up in the Billings area. Both went to school at Oklahoma A & M University now known as Oklahoma State University. On the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, one young country boy spent hours at an office reading the ticker tape recounting the tragic event. Immediately following, in the Spring of 1942, at age 21, he joined the US Marines as he wanted to serve where the action was. As a commissioned officer, his first duty was as a tank platoon commander, where he supported operations on the Island of Saipan, Tinian and then on Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
-
Lt. Henry Bellmon served his country throughout the Pacific theater of WWII alongside his brother and fellow Marine, George. For their service they were both highly decorated with Silver and Bronze Stars, and Legion of Merits. Henry Bellmon went on to become a member of the Oklahoma legislature, the 18th and 23rd Governor of Oklahoma and a two term United States Senator. Following the war, George moved to North Carolina and became a prominent rancher and farmer later returning to the family farm in Billings and continued his successful career in farming and ranching. The story of the Bellmon Brothers is part of the Legacy of the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park. Two of thousands whose names are memorialized on the living walls in the park. Men and women who knowingly and willingly put their lives at risk to defend the rights, and well-being of the nation they loved. But more importantly they defended this country for the future of their family and the generations of people who will be attending the annual Veteran’s Day Ceremonies, Saturday, November 11th, 2017 at the Woodring Wall of Honor in Enid, OK. George Bellmon and other WWII veterans will be the parade marshal’s at this year’s annual Veterans Day Parade, November 11th at 10:00am.
-
“It started with a promise thirty five years ago when “The Wall” was dedicated in Washington, DC in 1982, a promise to never forget those who sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War. “The Wall” has become a sacred place of homage for loved ones and visitors to pay their respects. We continue to see Vietnam veterans start or continue their healing process and younger generations to be awed by the scope of sacrifice. Visitors realize every name inscribed is a life cut short and learn what it means to serve our country,” states Elaine Johns, Executive Director. “We know our Vietnam Memorial Wall, here in Enid, will continue to impact our state and country for generations to come. With the addition of our newest project, the ML Becker Educational Center, we will ensure that our next generation understands that the men and women who provide our freedoms are the best of Oklahoma, the best of America, and respect and honor their willingness to risk their lives to preserve the freedoms we cherish.”
-
-
Veterans Day Ceremonies
