Last Saturday as I drove past the downtown barricades set up for the Veterans Day parade, my thoughts were drawn to my mother. She is on an airplane this morning to Nuermberg, Germany, the first time to return in almost 50 years. As an Army brat she lived 12 of her 18 years in Germany. My grandparents raised 6 kids as well as any family on an Army salary in the 40's and 50's. Now my daughter is raising her 2 children in Kentucky on an Army salary as her husband gets ready for his fourth tour in hostile territory.

While I have no military experience nor does my husband, our family has 2 other family members who have served in the past 2 years (father and son). Are we unusual? Probably not. I take a measure of pride thinking of the involvement spread across not only my family but our community.

Ponca City has done a wonderful job supporting our troops. The measures our community goes to now will be remembered by our children not unlike the measures taken by the country during WW II with the rationing and bond drives. Are these as extreme? No, but still welcome by the families and soldiers.

Keep up the good work Ponca City! Please thank a soldier when you see them and pray for their families as well.

Paula Stanton