November 8, 2019 Issue, Page 13 of 18

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Page 13 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, November 8, 2019 Vietnam Continued from page 12. jured he was doing just fine. McDaniel‘s military ser- the National Guard in Elk and took fire from the She got another letter at the vice didn’t end there. He was City as a member of the wood line. McDaniel and same time about the fate of with the United States Army 45th infantry division for 20 two of his fellow soldiers her brother, Dee Oakley Ca- for a total of 22 years and years. McDaniel received were injured when one of nady, who had been killed in got out a week before Desert the Army Accommodation, them set off a booby trap; a action. McDaniel was tasked Storm broke out. They tried National Defense Award, couple of the men lost limbs, with bringing his uncle’s asking him to reenlist and go Army Achievement Award but McDaniel was fortunate body back to United States. with his unit to Iraq, but he enough to come away with Back home in the U.S. declined. and the Purple Heart. only a concussion, which re- wasn’t exactly a warm wel- “P've already done my McDaniel now spends a sulted in hearing loss. come either, as he was met time,” he said, recalling his lot of his time working with A letter was sent to Mc- with protesters at the airport reaction. wood and selling his art in Daniel‘s mother saying that who hurled obscenities at local craft shows and to peo- After working for UPS for Johnny had been severely him. McDaniel was exposed 20 years, McDaniel joined ple all around the world. wounded and that he may to agent orange as well, not live. McDaniel called his which has caused numerous Johnny McDaniel mother and explained that health problems including a Thank you to Photo by Alyssa Lantz. while he may have been in- heart attack, he said. the thousands of men and women Gage served his God, country By Don Munsch, Editor Milton Gage grew up @ InterBank: who have served and continue to in Western Oklahoma and joined the Navy in 1945 and 1620 W 3rd St., Elk City serve today. was the only individual in his family besides an uncle 580-225- 5580 Epié who was in the service same time he was, and that uncle served in England in World War II. Gage, who lives in Elk jj City, didn’t go overseas dur- ing his military stint, He graduated from Fort Cobb High School and was a Pickup Toy Box medic in the Navy, and was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida, HAPPY 19676 Rte 66 N, 19678 W State Hwy 66, He enjoyed getting to see VETERANS Elk City, OK 73644 Elk City, OK 73644 the country during his time in the Navy. 580-225-0225 580-225-0225 “Being a poor kid from Milton Gage. Staff photo by Don Munsch. Oklahoma who grew up on a farm, all I knew was Western Oklahoma,” said Gage, who would eventually graduate current division in the na- tion. “It did not bother me to signia on the Fourth of July whether I’m preaching or Thank you to our veterans for their service! just a member of a church from Oklahoma Baptist Uni- have to salute anybody and some place,” he said. versity with a degree in Eng- be respectful to all my offi- Wed-Sat open at 5 ~ These days, he likes to lish and master’s degrees cers because I was raised, in tend to his yard — he said Sun open at 12 from Southwestern Oklaho- a strict manner,” he said, re- physical labor keeps him go- ma State and Southwestern ferring to his time in the mil- Elk City, OK ing — and taking care of his Baptist Theological Semi- itary. “I think I was raised at wife, Mary Lee, who suffers 580-225-8400 nary in Fort Worth, Texas. the right time, because when from Alzheimer’s disease, 1993 He also taught for 10 years I was going to school, Amer- at home. He and his wife in Oklahoma and Arizona ica was the No. | country in before starting a church in anything. And now we’re have four daughters: Debbie | Steaks - Catfish - Shrimp Arizona. He has lived in Elk so picked apart and every- Beaty, Janice Brim, Lenita City since 1974. He has pas- body’s trying to ruin us, and Potter and Dawn Hubbard. tored at churches in Western we're going to self-destruct They have 10 grandchildren “The willingness of America’s veterans Oklahoma, Nevada and Ari- instead of being destroyed and six great-grandchildren. zona. by somebody outside.” “{’m 92, and there aren’t Gage, 92, said he liked Gage holds a lifetime many 92-year-old guys who the discipline and decorum membership in the American found in the military service. Legion and has attended and take care of themselves much less their wife,” he to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude. But, more than once during an interview at his home, he led prayer at services at Fair- said, explaining he was not seems downcast about the lawn Cemetery in Elk City. bragging, just stating what is “[ wear my military in- the case. - Jeff Miller mf yyy VETERANS 580-225-1 160 Day Order online pizzahut.com i ww “Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.” - Wallace Bruce SS aN TERRY N FURNITURE (580)225-4006 OR (800)925-4006 {erptuitureshowroomcom SHOWROOM Monday 2001 SOUTH MAIN Through Saturday ELK CITY, OKLAHOMA 9-6