OpEd: Families Of Fallen Soldiers Supporting Lankford
Tulsa World Readers Forum: Oklahoma’s families of the fallen support Lankford
By World’s Editorial Writers
This story was submitted by Tiffany, Kylie and Kayci Owen of Sapulpa, widow and daughters of Staff Sgt. Kirk A. Owen; Holly Vicari of Broken Arrow, widow of Spc. Augustus J. Vicari; Megan Ewy of Edmond, widow of 2nd Lt. Jered W. Ewy; Emily Potter of Henryetta, widow of Pfc. Tony J. Potter Jr.; Jane Horton of Owasso, widow of Spc. Christopher D. Horton; Surana Prince of Minco, widow of Sgt. Mycal L. Prince; Audrey Leehan of Edmond, widow of 1st Lt. Damon T. Leehan.
The summer of 2011 may not have much significance to many Oklahomans, but to a small group of Okies, that summer is forever branded into our memories.
In 2011, Oklahoma deployed nearly its entire National Guard to Afghanistan. Beginning July 29 of that year, we lost soldier after soldier to war. We lost 14 soldiers total, including our husbands and fathers. Oklahoma was overwhelmed, the loss was immense, the sacrifice enormous, and our families and many others were left broken.
As time continues to march on and we struggle to heal, support slowly wanes, and we are left to navigate the losses on our own. We are blessed to live in a state like Oklahoma where people truly feel the loss with us and appreciate what our young husbands, fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers have given so we can all be free — but there are many things we have to legally, officially, and ceremonially do when a loved one is killed in war.
It took us weeks to bury our loved ones and some of us as long as a month and a half – not to mention the months of paper work that followed and continues to follow: receiving their personal effects, what was on them when they were killed, as well as finding out how to file taxes, apply for a special killed in action/gold star license plate, applying for scholarships, etc.
Many of us have felt lost in the process, but James and Cindy Lankford have taken it upon themselves to help us with anything we need.
Reading this almost brought me to tears. Few things matter as much as supporting our military men, women and their families. And supporting the Families of our Fallen must always be our highest priority.
I thank these Families for telling their stories and sharing their support for Congressman Lankford. I voted absentee for him and I am prouder than ever for that vote.