Hundreds of Oklahoma Vietnam veterans received an official thank you for their service in a ceremonial commemoration Saturday at Reaves Park, which included keynote speakers, musical performances, a 21-gun salute and an F-16 flyover.

The event, Operation Oklahoma, sought to pay tribute to Vietnam veterans. It was rescheduled from the Fourth of July because of rain.

Retired Maj. Gen. Toney Stricklin, Vietnam veteran and event keynote speaker, spoke how Vietnam veterans didn’t receive much of a welcome in the 1960s and 1970s on Veterans Day, and how grateful he is that has changed.

“That’s different now, and we’re proud to stand among our World War II, Korean and other veterans who have served this great nation over the years,” Stricklin said.

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins said she is proud Oklahoma consistently opens its arms and says thank you to the men and women who serve in all military branches.

“This is important for me to be here because this is the war of my generation,” Askins said. “The opportunity to celebrate at any time the Vietnam veterans who are here, who have a chance for us to say thank you, it’s never too late to say thank you.”

The City of Norman was one of three key sites for the various celebrations that were part of Operation Oklahoma and Gov. Brad Henry’s Year of the Vietnam Veteran proclamation, Mayor Cindy Rosenthal said.

“We felt very privileged to have the honor of hosting the event,” Rosenthal said.

The city combined its usual Fourth of July celebration with the fundraising efforts that Operation Oklahoma did nationally in order to include some of the additional festivities, such as fireworks, Rosenthal said.

Many in the city came together to ensure the event’s success.

“A lot of local effort went into it with the local community choir and the extensive local volunteer effort,” Rosenthal said. “We also had just incredible efforts by our Parks and Recreations staff and crews to help get the park in good shape and to do all of the things that they did.”

Mike Wallace, resident of Norman for 17 years, said he attended the commemoration to support all veterans and to reflect on his family members who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Grenada.

“That’s why I am here, to support them,” Wallace said. “Having the freedom to stand here like this, that’s thanks to all these guys right here.”

Vietnam veteran Leo Perez performed a song he and his wife wrote to help the healing process of soldiers, “Welcome Home Soldier.”

The music set the tone, but there also was military equipment from the war to set the mood: a humvee, a field logistical ambulance and other weaponry.

Not all attendees supported the war, but were still there to show their support for those who fought.

J.J. Kearns, a Navy veteran who went to Vietnam as a high school senior, said he and his wife attended because they are patriotic.

“I don’t particularly support the war, but I support the troops,” Barbara Kearns said. “Since they didn’t get to do everything July Fourth, we thought it was nice they went ahead and rescheduled close to Veterans Day.”

While the event’s focus was on a war fought more than 30 years ago, some were there asking for help for those serving the U.S.

Blue Star Mothers, an organization of mothers of deployed soldiers, collected donations of personal items to be put in care packages for troops.

To donate
Donations are being accepted at:

» OU’s Armory
» Republic Bank lobbies
» The Spirit Shop
» Castleberry and Associates
» Copelin’s Office Supply
» Norman fire stations