For a more pleasant change of pace after the recent hectic two-year election season, the need for more relaxing and pleasing subjects is obvious.

One subject immediately evident is the immediate holiday now labeled “Veterans Day.” My church home, Kirk of the Hills-Presbyterian, has for the last several years on the last Thursday preceding November 11 held a veterans’ recognition luncheon. Thursday is chosen because it is the day of the week for the regular morning meeting at The Kirk of our veterans club, originally founded in 1996 as World War II Vets of Tulsa, and now All Veterans Association. Sadly, two of the founders were no longer with us – Al Price having passed to Heaven the week before.

To back up a bit, at our October 25 meeting, we were pleasantly surprised by being joined by two of the First Congressional District staff members, Ashley Wells and Cam Thomas. They had both attended a previous meeting or two and so were considered associate members.

With the resignation from Congress by former U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Oklahoma, upon his appointment to head NASA, the office had remained open to serve constituents, which had been done promptly and efficiently in his absence.

Unfortunately for them, the victorious run-off candidate had not committed to retain the existing staff, as had two of the original primary candidates. We were advised that their tenure would end with the end of the general election on November 6.

To our surprise, gratitude and delight, they had obtained from the office of the Architect of the Capitol a flag that had been flown over the Capitol Building on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017. Included in the gift was a certificate of the flying date. We were all deeply touched and I was directed to see to it that they were invited to the meeting on November 8 and to the Kirk luncheon. This was done, but they may have been instructed to not attend, according to some of the House rules that they must still follow.

At the following meeting, two of our members were found to have fixed, vertical flag poles at our homes, and with the agreement of the members, the flag was flown on my pole on November 3 and at the home of C. R. Layton on November 12. After which a visit to Hobby Lobby netted a frame for both, which were attached with removable hooks for display.

At the lunch for veterans, ROTC cadets from Nathan Hale High School provided the crossed saber path into the dining room, the presentation of the flag, a rifle twirling demonstration, a sheet cake for dessert to be cut military style using sabers by a vet from each war, and by surprise to the Church staff, the ceremonial folding of the flag. It seemed that we should have flown it a little longer at each house as it was slightly stiff to be easily folded properly, but was accomplished after which it was placed in the frame, they were re-connected and shown to those in attendance.

The staff member responsible for all the arrangements gave a talk on letters home with pictures from her father during World War I, since this Veterans Day on November 11 marked 100 years since the surrender was signed in a railroad car “on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.” That war was to be “The War to end all Wars.”

They were not very good at guessing, were they?

On behalf of our membership, I wish to thank Ashley and Cam, Kirk of the Hills, Nathan Hale High School ROTC and commander, Major Mike Maguffee, USArmy (Retired) and those who attended to show there support. It is in our memories for years to come.