November 8, 2019 Issue, Page 11 of 18

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Page 11 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, November 8, 2019 Elk City Elementary will be hosting a Veteran’s Day Program Monday at 1:30. Nias | PRS! Fe F < you onrour | r Se tvice Elk City resident wanted to see the world in the Navy By Casey Lantz, Contrib- age, Box didn’t know much more months of schooling. was stationed to a small boat uting Writer about the conflict in Vietnam Box was sent to Sea School base in Cat Lo, Vietnam. Eldon Box received his when he joined. for specialized equipment Box was in the electronics draft notice to serve his Nevertheless, Box says he in Newport, Rhode Island. field, but because he was a country while still in high felt it was his patriotic duty After graduating from Sea second class petty officer, he school. to serve his country. His School, he was ordered back was ordered to be the captain Box, though, wasn’t able father had served in World to the West Coast, to Long of a picket boat. In the pick- to join the Navy until the War II, so he also felt obli- Beach, California. He went et boat they would patrol summer after his high school gated to be the best soldier aboard the Princeton, which the harbors, and search for graduation in 1966. He said he could be. was a World War II aircraft swimmers with contraband. that he decided to join the Box attended basic train- carrier that had been con- In one harrowing mission, ing in San Diego, and hav- verted into a helicopter car- Box was to drop off several Navy so he could get to see ing always been a tinkerer rier, and began his journey to mercenaries far up the river more of the country in Viet- and having a keen interest in the other side of the world. in the Delta of Vietnam. nam. Plus, they had what he thought were the sharpest electronics, he scored high Box finally met up with his When the tide went out, the uniforms. enough on the aptitude test ship, the USS Okanogan, boat got caught in shallow Born Nov. 5, 1942, in to become an electronics where they sailed to Vietnam waters, and was eventually Frederick, and being from technician. through the Gulf of Tonkin, stuck on a sandbar. Box and a small town in western After basic training, he where he first encountered his men were stranded by Oklahoma with the lack of was sent to Treasure Island enemy fire. the mercenaries on the sand- round the clock news cover- in San Francisco for eight Once in the country, Box bar and were captured by the Vietnamese and beaten se- verely. The Vietnamese kept them tied up in cages for several “The rem obligation days, but Box and his men eventually escaped their Eldon Box. /nset photo by Alyssa Laniz. captors, and privilege of citizenship Box served in Vietnam for 3 1/2 years before finally re- was also exposed to agent Defense medal, the Viet- orange while in Vietnam, namese campaign medal, is that of bearing arms turning home in 1972. Box was met with a lot of criti- which eventually gave him the Vietnamese Service cism when he arrived back terminal cancer. Box insists Medal, the Navy Achieve- that he is nota hero, but only for one's country.’ in the United States from did what anyone would do to ment Medal, and four Gold the anti-war protesters and was cursed at and pelted make it back home alive. Stars. Box now lives with with half eaten food. Box Box received the National his wife in Elk City. - George S. Patton Jr. Thank you fo all our brave men and women We appreciate the hard work that our veterans put in to protect our freedom. The many sacrifices given by our veterans can never be repaid. *BAZAAR ON 66* God Bless the USA! “Fallen heroes represent the character of a Nation who COMPANY OF has a long history | OKLAHOMA of patriotism and honor.” a ae An AEP Company \ = 104 Regional Dr, BOUNDLESS ENERGY“ Elk City, OK 73644 "F 580.303.4607 www.ribcrib.com