By Robert Medley
Staff Writer
YUKON — One survived roadside bombs in Iraq. One survived heavy Japanese attacks in Okinawa. Another lived to talk about the Korean War and another talks about the Vietnam War.
The four war veterans from Yukon are among the soldiers, airman, Marines and sailors who will be honored tonight at "A Tribute To Veterans” at Chisholm Trail Park. The tribute is part of the city's Freedom Fest.
Dale Everett, 63, a Vietnam veteran, Jim Tallant, 75, a Korean War veteran, Sgt. Jeremy Killman, 25, who completed a year in Iraq in June and World War II veteran Bob Schwaninger, 81, gathered recently to talk about their war experiences, and their appreciation of the community's support.
"Welcome home!” Everett said to Killman, an Oklahoma Army National Guard soldier who grew up in Yukon. The two shook hands.
Killman, who could return to Iraq for another tour of duty, said he has felt strong support from people in Yukon who have kept him in their prayers.
"It's a real honor just to be able to be recognized by your community,” Killman said. "And it's an honor to be part of the same group with these men too, and to be standing here with them after making it back.”
Killman described Iraq as "miserable and hot.” He was a gunner on a cargo truck that was a target of roadside bombs.
"We were right in the thick of it,” he said.
Tallant, an organizer of the event, said "A Tribute To Veterans” was the idea of Yukon City Manager Jim Crosby. This is the sixth year for the event.
Tallant said 390 invitations to Yukon veterans were mailed. He said he expects more than 90 veterans to attend.
Tallant said all of the veterans share a common bond.
"Each and every one of us has provided the same show of responsibility and duty to our country,” he said. "I don't know how you can get any closer as brothers of war.”
Tallant served in the U.S. Army from 1949-52, during the Korean War. When he returned from Korea, he joined the U.S. Air Force and retired from Tinker Air Force Base in 1989.
When Everett, a U.S. Navy veteran, returned from serving in Vietnam from 1966-69, he worked for the R.W. Thomas Survey and Engineering Co. in Oklahoma City. He was prepared for the job because he was involved in construction work at Dong Ha, Vietnam, he said. He said he was never discouraged when Vietnam veterans were not recognized during the late 1960s like they are today.
"For me it was an honor to serve your country,” Everett said.
Schwaninger's military career may have been decades before Killman's, but the two are no strangers. Schwaninger's grandson, Bobby Schwaninger, played baseball in Yukon with Killman. The elder Schwaninger's granddaughter, Elizabeth, now serves in the Air Force. She's stationed in San Antonio, he added.
Bob Schwaninger landed on Okinawa on April 1, 1945, with the U.S. Marine Corps First Armored Amphibian Battalion.
"It was April Fool's Day and Easter,” Schwaninger recalled. "The Japanese waited until we landed and then they attacked us.”
After the war, he moved from Nebraska to Oklahoma City and worked for Western Electric. Schwaninger said the recognition soldiers receive here still amazes him.
"When I came home from the service there were 16 million of us so it wasn't as big of a deal,” he said. "Now 60 years later, people in Wal-Mart are still coming up and thanking me.”
