| February 13, 2015
-- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Although much of
this past week was spent working on bills in committee, we paused on
Monday for a very special ceremony. A few years ago we passed legislation
creating the Gold Star Medal of Honor. It’s presented to families
of members of the military from Oklahoma, and who have lost their lives
in the line of duty or in a combat zone since September 11, 2001.
This week the State
Senate honored 10 Oklahoma Gold Star families in a special ceremony
to pay tribute to the life, service and sacrifice of each of these soldiers,
and to express our condolences and support for their families as well.
Among those we honored was a young many from this district; Army Sgt.
Anthony Del Mar Peterson, whose family lives in Owasso. He was assigned
to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade
Combat Team with the Oklahoma National Guard out of Tulsa. He died on
August 4, 2011, in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Anthony
was 24 years old.
I had the tremendous
privilege of introducing his family, seated with the family members
of other soldiers in the Senate gallery, and everyone in the chamber
rose to their feet to applaud and recognize them. Afterward, we all
moved to the Senate lounge to formally present the medals to them on
behalf of the members of the military being honored. Within these ten
families, there were very young children, young wives and mothers, parents,
siblings, and other loved ones. They are still grieving, but they are
proud of the service, patriotism and courage their father, son, brother,
or husband embodied.
I saw that same
patriotism and courage in Sgt. Peterson’s family and in the families
of the other soldiers on Monday. While their loved one made the ultimate
sacrifice in service to their nation, these men, women and children
have also sacrificed much—more than any of us can fully grasp if
we have not stood in their shoes.
I think it’s
important to point out that per capita, Oklahomans have one of the highest
rates of service in the United States. And it is also important to point
out that we currently have approximately 1, 196 Gold Star family members
in Oklahoma.
I’m so grateful
that we had the opportunity to thank these fellow Oklahomans in person
and tell them on behalf of all the citizens of this state how sorry
we are for their loss, and how proud we are of their loved one’s
service to this nation. It was probably one of the most moving ceremonies
I’ve ever seen here at the Capitol. There’s no question that
these soldiers are heroes and are deserving of our respect, gratitude
and honor. And there’s no question in my mind that their families
are just as deserving of that respect, gratitude and honor as well.
Please feel free
to contact me at the state Capitol by calling (405) 521-5566 or by emailing
brinkley@oksenate.gov.
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