November 2022

Donald Siler, left, and George Haynes, U.S. Army, Korea, 1952-1954.

Dan Castrop, 95

Served in the Merchant Marines from 1945-46.

Then served in the U.S. Army during the occupation of Japan.

By Serenity Schnider
El Reno High School junior
(Brian Rukes’ AP English 3 class)

◆ In 2017, the United States Department of Defense is considered the largest employer
in the country, with over 3 million employees. In second place is Walmart,
with 1.3 million employees, and third is Exxon-Mobil
with 950,000 employees.

◆ The U.S. Department of Defense controls over 30 million acres of land worldwide,

Freddie R. Hobson

E-4 Sergeant 1961-65

Served in the U.S. Air Force Security Service, Italy, 1962-63

Floyd James Radcliff Jr.

CPL U.S. Army Air Corps

Stationed in Guam during his service in World War II

Floyd James Radcliff Sr.

U.S. Army

Served in France during World War I.

Injured in the line of duty and received a Purple Heart.

Gordon K. Hoselton

U.S. Navy, 1951-55

USS Southerland (DDR-743)

Eight major battles including the Korean Conflict

Active duty 1955-60

Jerry A. Hedrick

USAF

Sept. 10, 1956 - Sept. 7, 1960

Lackland AFB, Keesler AFB Ona Point, Okinawa, Chicksands RAF, England

Veterans Day, which is celebrated annually on Nov. 11, commemorates the hardworking men and women who sacrifice their time and put themselves in harms way to defend the country’s core values of freedom and opportunity.

While Veterans Day certainly is a chance to honor those who have donned the uniform during wars and military installments, it also can be a chance to recognize the unsung heroes of wartime - those who step into roles so that soldiers and strategists can focus their attention elsewhere.