News

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.

Memorial Stadium was rededicated in 2019 and the centerpiece of the event was the brick monument honoring the El Reno Public Schools students who paid the ultimate sacrifice from service to their country during World War II. The monument listed the 44 known names of former students at that time.

William Harvey Thrailkill Jr. U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1969. Stationed at Tinker Air Force Base. Served in Vietnam in January 1968, stationed in Nha Trang. Worked on airplanes repairing recip engines. Died March 25, 2020, from Agent Orange issues.

Jim Lane Phariss U.S. Army Korea Dec. 1, 1952, to Sept. 18, 1954 Front Line 39th Parallel the day Armistice was signed

Larry Thomason U.S. Army March 1966 to March 1968 Location: Alabama and Vietnam

Loy W. Strasner Royal Canadian Air Force before the U.S. entered World War II and was released to join the U.S. Navy when the U.S. declared war. Served in the submarine service.

Michael C. Kelly Army Active duty May 1975 to May 1978 Fort Lewis, Wash.

By Edgar Perez El Reno High School junior (Brian Rukes’ AP English 3 class)

Richard M. Fogg 1966 to 1967 Vietnam

Richard M. Preno U.S. Air Force 1946 to 1949 Iwo Jima/Guam