South Grand Lake Lions Club Holding Annual Veterans Day Remembrance Program

The South Grand Lake Lions Club will honor all past and present servicemen and women with a Veterans Day Remembrance Program Saturday, Nov. 11.

Everyone in South Grand Lake and the surrounding area is invited to be a part of this annual event.

Held at the Veterans Honor Plaza in Langley, the program begins at 10 a.m. as the Patriot Guard, Freedom Riders and the Langley Police Department escort the flags to the plaza.

Under the direction of Robbie Lewis, the Ketchum High School choir will perform patriotic songs during the program. This year’s guest speakers will include Dee Anne Grapevine, the mayor of Langley, and Lt. Col. Don Wadley.

The Lions Club will honor James D. Beasley and John Helzen, two veterans who died this year.

Members of the Oklahoma Eastern Star will perform the 13 Folds of the American Flag ceremony with Don DeVore narrating. He will be assisted by Rohn Hall and James McAlister. DeVore will also explain the origin and history of “Taps.”

South Grand Lake Lions Club president Becky Moore and vice president Phil Bethel will announce the selections of the “My American Hero” veterans and read the application submissions. The club is giving away three pavers and three bricks in the Veterans Honor Plaza to honor these veterans.

To nominate your American hero for this honor, fill out an online application at www.southgrandlakelionsclub.com. Click on the Tell us about your Veteran! link, fill out the form and submit.

Mac Davis will play “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. The program will also include a POW Remembrance Ceremony, conducted by Kenny King.

The Reading of the Names portion of the program will be presented by Frank Sands (corporal, U.S. Marine Corps), Dennis Deffenbaugh (ES U.S. Army) and David Smith (master sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps).

Honor veterans who will be raising flags during this year’s program are Dennis Deffenbaugh (ES, U.S. Army), David Smith (master sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps), Dale Larson (staff sergeant, U.S. Army, retired), Gary Trout (U.S. Army), Frank Sands (corporal, U.S. Marine Corps), Phil Trout (E4, Seabee, U.S. Navy), Ken Clark (chief petty officer, U.S. Navy), David Standeford (senior airman, U.S. Air Force) and Billie R. Stout (airman ES first class, U.S. Air Force).

The Veterans Day Remembrance Program will conclude with the placing of the wreath and the lighting of the candles ceremonies.

The Veterans Honor Plaza is located at 220 West Cherokee Avenue, across from the Langley First Christian Church, in Langley

If you have any questions or would like to participate in the ceremony, contact Virginia Gibson at Valley National Bank at (918) 782-3265 or visit www.southgrandlakelionsclub.com or the South Grand Lake Lions Club of Langley Facebook page.