May 30, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Elk City honors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice From left, Kermit Kingsford of Elk City offers a prayer at the end of the Memorial By Don Munsch, Editor as we remember those who served and fought and died for Day service, while Hayden Laufer, a rising An unseasonably cool day greeted around 50 people Mon- [the country].” freshman at Elk City High School, played taps day morning at the Memorial Day Service at Fairlawn Cem- He prayed for the country to have peace, health, unity and and Sheriff Derek Manning delivered some etery in Elk City. guidance. words to the crowd at the Veterans Memorial No matter the weather, the crowd wanted to make sure “Father, we thank you for this beautiful facility and we at Fairlawn Cemetery. Photos by Don Munsch. they spent some time on this day to honor those service thank you for those with the foresight to provide it,” Man- members who gave their lives for the country. The ser- ning said, referring to the Veterans Memorial, where the cer- “Because his plan was for you to live and touch others. vice featured some patriotic songs and a hymn, “Amazing emony was held. Please remember that, because I know there are those that Grace,” by local radio personality Shawn Wilson, as well as Wilson provided a verse from John 15:13 KJV: “Greater [feel guilty] for living and that should never be the case. some prayers. love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life We shall never, ever forget those who served and those who Event organizer and Beckham County Sheriff Derek Man- for his friends.” Wilson said he had many family members died.” ning delivered some prayers and brief remarks and recog- who served in the military, but he said he had asthma and The local chapter of the American Legion was recognized nized veterans in the crowd. Seats at the Veterans Memorial couldn’t serve. He said people who served in a war told him at the ceremony. American Legion Post 181 meets the first were arranged to comply with social distancing recommen- they weren't heroes, that those who were the true heroes Monday night of each month at the teen building at 2nd and dations. didn’t make it back. Adams Church of Christ in Elk City. “Father, we thank you for this great nation that we live in,” “And I know there a lot that served that feel guilty about Wilson also read a poem called “Freedom Isn’t Free,” Manning said during an opening prayer. “Father, we espe- living, and I pray with every essence of myself and to my which honored those who died in battle. cially ask you for your blessing on this nation this morning great God that he relieve you of that burden,” Wilson said. “We are part of this great nation, home of the brave and land of free, only because of the many who went to task and Alzheimer’s group to have walk in June won the victory,” Wilson’s poem read, in part. “We salute our fallen heroes, those who fought for you and me, may we See Sacrifice page 2. By Don Munsch, Editor the awareness of Alzheimer’s,” Western said, adding that Elk City educators People wanting to walk to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s businesses could, for instance, do a one-day event in which a disease may do so in participating in the second annual Al- portion of sales could go to Alzheimer’s Association during zheimer’s Association’s Longest Day Fundraiser, with the the week of June 15-20. walk being held June 19 at Ackley Park. A Paint the Town Purple activity will be held the week of Elk City Mayor Nick Archer has agreed that for every $100 that is raised he will get a pie in the face. People may win honors from state organization June 15-20 in Elk City. nominate someone from their team or company to be pied in The fundraiser is conducted by the Western Oklahoma Al- the face for $100, with one pie costing $100. zheimer’s Collaborative, and the fundraiser seeks to advance “So that Friday night, from 6-8, we will have our walk the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s As- down at Ackley Park,” Western said, adding that a health sociation, according to a news release. fair will be held and food trucks will be on site. “We have Businesses and individuals are asked to raise awareness rented the carousel, putt-putt golf and train and it’s free to and funds for those living with Alzheimer’s and their care- anyone wearing purple. And we'll have donation buckets at givers in the area, but organizer Julie Western said the event this year centers more on awareness and having fun in the all places.” She said social distancing will be maintained as much as process. “We just don’t want people to forget that we are here and possible at the event. that this is what we're doing, that we’re still trying to help “We're hoping that with our health fair, we'll be keep ev- with the cause,” Western said. erything at least 10 to 15 feet apart,” she said. People may create their own team for the walk or join one The design model for the walk will allow for social dis- Garrison Chauncey from the Western Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Collaborative. tancing, she said. By Don Munsch, Editor The website can be accessed at http://act.alz.org/goto/west- Facebook Live events will be held June 19, and the walk Elk City Superintendent Rick Garrison gave credit to ernoklahomaalzheimerscollaborative. that night is subject to Covid-19 regulations and restrictions. those around him when he discussed a recent honor he. “We are trying to keep the whole ‘shop local’ up and go- Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association are tax-deduct- received. ing, so we are asking small businesses to get on board with ible. Garrison has been named 2020 Oklahoma Association of School Administrators District 12 Superintendent of Elk City High School announces sports the Year. The OASA also announced last week that Tony practice schedules Chauncey of Elk City Public Schools is the 2020 OASA District 12 Assistant Superintendent/Central Office Ad- By Don Munsch, Editor Elk City High School will kick off summer sports pro- ministrator of the Year. Chauncey serves as business The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association grams Monday with summer pride workouts, Hunt said. manager and director of technology for Elk City Public Schools. decided last week to allow schools to make their own deci- The workouts, for all levels of boys and girls sports, will “It tells you that God has given you great fortune to sions regarding summer sports workout schedules while still be held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to have really good people around you through your career adhering to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control noon for all levels. is what that really means,” Garrison said, describing his and Prevention, Elk City High School athletic director Brian “As far as CDC guidelines in Elk City, we will follow reaction on receiving the District 12 Superintendent of Hunt said. them,” Hunt said. “We will sanitize the floor, we'll sanitize See Honors page 2. ‘Those activities begin Monday for Elk City. See Sports page 2. Weather Vol. 118, No. 43 Mail delivery View online ALAA A tomorrow / 67 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com