By Andrew Knittle

Transcript Staff Writer

Local veterans of conflicts ranging from World War II to the Iraq War turned out Wednesday at the Cleveland County Veterans' Memorial to honor those who've served the nation in the ultimate sense of the word.

Col. Jeffery Glass, commander of the 507th Air Refueling Wing at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, told those in attendance it doesn't matter if a veteran served 60 years ago or just finished a tour of duty, they're all equally important. He said the U.S. military isn't the greatest in the world because of its high-tech war machines and laser-guided missiles.

"The strength of all armed forces is seen in all the men and women who wear the uniform," Glass said. "It's not the powerful weapons that make the U.S. military so mighty."

Glass said the nation needs to take care of its veterans who are injured in combat, as well as their families. He also said it's important for veterans to continue to serve after their obligation ends by supporting active troops and helping fallen soldiers as they are laid to rest.

Veterans also were urged to have their names engraved on the memorial's tablets if they hadn't already done so.

Norman Parks and Recreation Director Jud Foster said last week that the memorial, which has been open for viewing about a year, now has 1,964 names engraved on it -- 360 of those added late last week.

Foster said veterans with Cleveland County ties are eligible to have their names sandblasted on the tablets, adding that engravings will hopefully be held once a year.

An application to have a name engraved is available on the city's Web site, www.ci.norman.ok.us/parks.

Andrew Knittle

366-3540

aknittle@normantranscript.com