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David Abel Uribe-Shelton

Specialist in 2/504 PIR 82nd Airborne Division.

Served 2017-2020.

Part of rapid deployment to Iraq in support of the attack on U.S. embassy during the start of 2020.

Warren Vernon Frazier

Born Jan. 2, 1922
Died March 2, 1942

Enlisted in February of his senior year in high school.

Warren Street in El Reno was named in his honor after his death.

Was Killed in Action in the Battle of Java when his ship, the destroyer U.S.S. Pillsbury, was sunk by Japanese cruisers.

Sammy Smith

Born Oct. 23, 1946
Died April 16, 1968   

Graduated from El Reno High School Class of 1966

Served in the 101st Airborne Division

Killed in Action in Thua Thien province, South Vietnam, from small arms fire in his first battle.

Terry Yeakey

Nov. 9, 1965 - May 8, 1996

U.S. Military Police

First Gulf War

Oklahoma City police officer

Credited with saving several lives immediately after the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995

Research by El Reno High School instructor Brian Rukes and his English classes has turned up El Reno military members who lost their lives while serving our nation.

The list dates to World War I. Rukes and supporters are planning to add to the World War II Gold Star Plaza that was created at Memorial Stadium.

Rukes said more names may be added as additional research is done.

The following is the list so far compiled.

Honorees of El Reno Public Schools Gold Star Plaza - 89 total as of Oct. 16, 2023

Brian Rukes obviously believes no one gets left behind.

Rukes, the El Reno High School English teacher and volunteer school historian, has made it his mission to honor the lives of those from El Reno who gave their lives serving in the United States military.

He led the effort to create the World War II monument that was erected at Memorial Stadium in 2019. Along the way he enlisted the help of his students, the school district, the business community and any other individual or entity that believed in his journey.

Canadian County held its 12th Annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown El Reno Sunday afternoon.

Organized by the El Reno Chamber of Commerce, the parade included flags, floats, the El Reno High School Band and the county’s Veterans of the Year honorees.

A program was held at the Centre Theatre following the parade to honor all veterans.

See Saturday’s paper for a wrap-up.