ENID, OK - Enid’s Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park, along with the City of Enid present Above and Beyond, a weekend tribute to honor our veterans. The events are Friday–Monday, May 26th - 29th, at the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park at Woodring Regional Airport in Enid, OK. Friday, May 26th at 7 pm veterans, from all eras of war, will be leading the opening ceremonies of the Jr. College World Series at the David Allen Memorial Ballpark. A freedom flame will be driven into Enid Friday and will be lit by Medal of Honor spouse and son, Marilyn Grissett & Bill Fournet. The flame is carried around the bases by veterans representing WWII- Active duty armed forces. At the end of the “run” at home plate, is two WWII US Army Air Corp veterans who will lift up the flame to the National Anthem. It will be extinguished by the Blue Star Mother’s President Brenda Bingham.
Saturday, May 27th at 11 am is the first Medal of Honor Ride of Valor honoring three NW Oklahoma recipients. The ride will go to Enid Cemetary to the grave of Robert Blair, USN, then to Aline to Harold Kiner, USA; then to Lt Col Leon Vance in Waukomis, ending at the veterans park with food, entertainment and giveaways. Registration begins at 10 am. A large group of Tulsa motorcyclist will be arriving at the Vietnam Memorial Wall for their annual ride at noon. Their service will include a wreath laying service at the Vietnam Wall, a DoD Vietnam Veterans Pinning Ceremony, and entertainment provided by members of Dually Noted. Monday, May 29th at 10 am is the annual City of Enid Memorial Day Ceremonies honoring the fallen of Oklahoma.
Above and Beyond Memorial Day Ceremony will also honor two fallen families this year including Darren Collins, USN who died while on active duty and Sgt. Robert Swartz, USAR and deputy sheriff who was killed while serving an eviction notice in OKC. Maj Gen Doug Dollar, USA retired, will be the key note speaker along with Col Matthew Astroth, Commander Vance Air Force Base, who will dedicate the new name additions to the living walls and conduct the dedication of the Woodring Historical Mural. The family of Bert Woodring will be in attendance. Maj Gen Dollar is the founder of the Military Heritage Foundation which includes the Military Hall of Fame. He will also be making a special presentation to four WWII veterans who will be in attendance. Senator Roland Pederson, Oklahoma Senate District 19 will dedicate a bridge to Henry and George Bellmon. The bridge is located at I-35/Hwy 15 near Billings. Past Mayor George Pakonin is the emcee and our current Mayor, David Mason will welcome the crowd to Enid. Lindy Pitts will bring the National Anthem. Tommy LeGrand, Pastor First Baptist Church of Garber will bring our invocation. A free meal will be served following the event.
“We are celebrating the 90th anniversary of the rededication of the Enid Woodring Regional Airport being named after Bert Woodring. Dedicating this historical mural is fitting as the Enid Air Park was renamed after Woodring on May 30, 1033 with Charles Lindberg, Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post in attendance. It’s going to be an honor for us to dedicate our newest project during our annual Memorial Day Ceremonies. Local artist, Tox Morillo, has done a brilliant job designing the completing the mural and we’re blessed to have this historical tribute to share with our future generations, stated Elaine Johns, Executive Director.”
The event begins at 10 am on Monday morning. Parking assistance will be provided by the Civil Air Patrol.
For more information on any of the Memorial Day weekend activities in Enid, contact Elaine Johns at the Woodring Wall of Honor at 580-233-4530.
