By John Greiner
The Oklahoman
Pride.
That's what the American flag meant to Edwin Keller Wednesday as he clutched it during a small, Flag Day celebration on the first floor rotunda of the state Capitol.
"The flag is my country ... the flag I fought for. I was proud to be part of the war. I did the best I could," the 81-year-old former infantryman said.
Keller, a violinist who survived battle wounds and captivity in World War II in Europe, returned to Oklahoma after the war to teach music in public schools and at Casady School.
As he held the flag, violinist Kyle Dillingham played patriotic songs including "The Star Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
The music attracted a small group who stood silently and listened while a few more leaned over a second-floor balustrade and watched.
They applauded when Dillingham finished playing.
Keller, a Guthrie native, lives in Oklahoma City and has studied and played the violin since grade school.
Drafted in 1942, he was a member of the 1st Army, 30th Division and saw combat in France, the Netherlands and Germany.
He was wounded and later captured and held prisoner by the Germans until liberated by American soldiers.
This was his first Flag Day celebration, he said.
As Dillingham played patriotic music, Keller thought about his part in the war more than 60 years ago.
"I thought some things about the war ... was thankful that I was lucky to be here," Keller said.
When Dillingham finished playing, he spoke to the people watching the ceremony.
He introduced Keller and said:
"We're here to honor him and all the men and women who served and are serving."
