From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY – A permanent salute to the Oklahoma National Guard was approved by Governor Kevin Stitt on May 15 by signing into law House Bill 4012, which will fund the design and construction of the State Capitol Arch.
The purpose of the arch is to honor and memorialize the services performed by the Oklahoma National Guard. Passage of the bill, authored by Rep. Mark Mc-Bride (R-Moore) and co-sponsored by multiple legislators including Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) and Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber) will allocate $4,300,000 from the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority Legacy Capital Financing Fund.
“This arch was part of the original design for the state Capitol, and I believe it will add to the beauty of our complex,” McBride said in a press release. “In addition, it will pay tribute to the legacy of Oklahoma National Guard members and their service and protection of the citizens of our great state.”
McBride said the arch was originally designed by architect Solomon Layton to be included in early plans for the Capitol, which was completed in 1917. It was conceived to stretch across Lincoln Boulevard much like the Arc De Triomphe in Paris, but plans were averted due to lack of funding at the time.
The 30-foot tall and 60-foot long scale model arch will be constructed south of the visitor’s parking lot south of the Capitol. It will have a small amphitheater that could seat about 100 people and the grassy area that now exists will possibly be named Veterans Park.
The Oklahoma National Guard, according to information at the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame, is made up of Army and Air Force components and has a storied history of service since its creation by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature in 1890. Its mission is to serve and protect citizens of Oklahoma and the United States.
They served as Rough Riders in Cuba during the Spanish American War, and after statehood, served as protection on the Mexican border in 1916-17. After returning home in March 1917, the group mobilized again in April 1917 to serve overseas during World War I. The 45th Infantry Division and the 125th Observation Squadron (predecessor to the Oklahoma Air National Guard) were mobilized into federal service before the United States entered World War II in December 1941.
The 45th Infantry Division served 511 days in combat in Italy, France and Germany, resulting in nine Medal of Honor recipients, 77 Distinguished Service Cross recipients and more than 1,100 Silver Star recipients, according to information at OMHF.
In addition, the 45th of the Oklahoma National Guard and the Oklahoma National Guard mobilized in 1950 in response to the Korean War. Members served in Korea, Japan and Europe and were also activated in 1990-91 in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm. Major descendant units of the 45th are the Joint Force Headquarters, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 45th Field Artillery Brigade and 90th Troop Command. Since 9/11, members of the Oklahoma National Guard have deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn and Freedom Sentinel.
Oklahoma National Guard domestic operations have included responding to the McAlester Prison riots, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and Hurricane Katrina search and rescue missions.
HB 4012 creates a revolving fund into which state appropriations, donations, gifts and bequests by private individuals or other entities could deposit funds for the purpose of maintaining the arch.
A day after Stitt signed the bill, the Oklahoma National Guard announced on their website, ok.ng.mil, construction of a new museum to be built in Oklahoma City. The museum, originally named for the 45th Infantry Division, was renamed by the state Legislature in 2021 and refocused on collecting, preserving and sharing history of the entire Oklahoma National Guard, including both the Air and Army National Guard, according to a news release.
The museum is currently located at 2145 NE 36th St. in Oklahoma City and is housed in a 90-year old building. Ground was broken at the new site on May 16, and is located at 3301 NE Grand Blvd. in Oklahoma City. The new 39,375 square-foot building will provide the museum with the space and tools needed to tell the Oklahoma National Guard’s story from its founding through modern times, said Denise Neil, executive director of the Oklahoma National Guard Museum.
“All of the exhibitions will be brand new, with some of the storylines of the 45th Infantry Division carrying over from the current museum,” Neil said. “We will also be expanding that storyline so we’re starting with the history of the Oklahoma National guard beginning in 1890 with the establishment of the territorial militia and moving up as contemporary as possible.”