Rep. Duel: Guthrie Day Celebrated at Capitol

It was a pleasure last week to celebrate Guthrie Day at the State Capitol. I welcomed people from my hometown in the House during the legislative session on Thursday, April 16. Lawmakers and others visiting the Capitol were able to see several of the booths set up in the Second-floor Rotunda that helped showcase much of what Guthrie has to offer.

Also, last week I took part in a ceremony in the state Senate to recognize the renaming of the U.S. Post Office in Guthrie as the Oscar J. Upham Post Office. Upham was born to an Ohio family that came to America during the Irish Potato Famine. At the age of 16, he participated with his family in the Land Run of 1889, staking their claim in Guthrie, where many of his descendants still reside. Upham later served the nation in the U.S. Marine Corps and was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor for his courage under heavy enemy fire while serving as security for a multinational delegation during the Boxer Rebellion in China. Upham was the first honoree inducted into the Military Hall of Honor and honored by the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. He served as a postal worker in Guthrie for 36 years. In December, President Trump signed legislation designating the post office in Guthrie to be named in Upham’s honor. It was wonderful to get to recognize Mr. Upham’s service to our community, our state and our nation. I’m grateful for all who could take part in this ceremony.

Also last week, Vietnam veteran Billy R. Richards, of Arcadia, was invited to take part in an honor flight to Washington, D.C. The Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight, an organization dedicated to recognizing and honoring Oklahoma’s veterans, provides these all-expenses-paid trips to veterans allowing them to visit the national war memorials built in their honor.

I appreciate this organization for the respect they show our veterans. I’m also eternally grateful to the veterans themselves who willingly sacrificed their time and put themselves in harm’s way to keep our nation free and safe.

On a similar note, the House and Senate convened in joint session last week to celebrate the contributions and service of the Oklahoma National Guard. Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, the state’s adjutant general, said we currently have about 9,000 soldiers, airmen and employees serving in the Guard. Some of these are stationed in the Middle East, where combat is taking place and tensions are very high.

Our thoughts, prayers and support are certainly with these service men and women as well as their families back home. As a veteran myself, I’m acutely aware of the cost of service and the anxiety that can bring for loved ones.

Our Guard has a rich history, stretching back to the 1890 Territorial Militia. Mancino pointed out that the Guard has proudly stood ready to support and defend our state and nation for over a century of our nation’s almost 250-year history. They have served in World Wars I and II and many deployments since. They’ve aided at home after the Oklahoma City bombing, during the COVID-19 outbreak and during many tornadoes, wildfires and other devastating weather events. It was good to recognize their service.

As always, it is an honor to serve you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at (405) 557-7350 or collin.duel@okhouse.gov if I can ever be of service to you.