27-05-2025
The Woodring Wall of Honor in Enid remembers fallen soldiers
ENID, Okla. (KFOR) — Unable to speak for themselves, fallen soldiers must rely upon the family and friends who knew them.
Jesse Mitchell, who died in a North Korean prisoner of war camp, National Guardsman Paul Howell, who died in a car wreck last year were two names spoken at this year's Memorial Day ceremony.
Retired Col. Jerry Shiles, one of several speakers, lost a nephew to an IED in Afghanistan.
He and family members of the fallen all had special reason to set aside this national holiday to remember.
'I know how important it is for the families to recognize the service of their family members,' says Shiles, 'and especially those they've lost.'
In the 25 years since the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park opened, thousands of names have been added to the rolls.
Tim Vanover's father Elmer was one of the few survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March during World War II, but Tim argued that his dad left part of himself in POW Camp 17.
He insisted, 'Some veterans died but they didn't physically die. The way I look at it, Dad pretty much gave his life.'
Lori Lenz's father Squire Utsler didn't talk much about his years in the Pacific as a Marine sniper during WWII.
She learned what she could from his letters home which she compiled in a book.
She also related her father's reluctance to honor anyone other than his fallen comrades.
'He would have been grumbling and saying, 'oh I don't want that award,' she says of his inclusion to the Wall of Honor.
Former Enid Mayor Doug Frantz lost many of his fellow classmates who were part of the 1967 Marine Officers School.
During a speech, he recalled, 'We took about 390 2nd Lieutenants to Vietnam that year. 40 of them, around 10 percent, have their names on the Vietnam Memorial over there.'
Current Vance Air Force Base Col. Carl Miller lost people he knew in combat, but took comfort in the words of Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address.
'That from these honored dead,' he quoted, 'We take increased devotion.'
Grief and honor for those who gave 'their last full measure' to their country.
As Taps played, survivors stood, veterans saluted.
Their country took a moment to do the same, and to re-dedicate ourselves to give their sacrifice continued meaning.
For more information on the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park, click here.
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