LAWTON –Veterans are not able to serve without the support of their families, said Lawton Police Chief James Smith.
“It’s very important and special that this day [Veterans Day] is set aside to honor our veterans. I feel so honored to be here with other veterans in this huge military community.
We have several veterans on the LPD and, also, several veterans are employed by the City of Lawton,” he said.
However, the retired Army colonel said, he likes to stress one important point: without the support of family members, soldiers wouldn’t be able to serve.
“Let’s honor the families,” he said.
Smith’s military service includes 30 years of commissioned service, which includes 10 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard and 20 years with the United States Army Reserves. He retired at the rank of colonel in June of 2011. During his Army career, he was never stationed at Fort Sill. He served in various units and command positions, which included battalion personnel officer, battalion logistics officer, military police investigator and division anti-terrorism officer.
Additionally, he had command assignments in Korea, Germany, Bosnia and Iraq. In his last assignment he served as the emergency preparedness liaison officer, working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Indiana National Guard.
Smith’s awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Military family Lawton resident and business owner Brandi Sims is quick to attribute her success to the influence the military has had on her family. Although not a veteran herself, her parents, Miguel and Michell Rosario; her in-laws, Oscar Sims Jr and Ramona Sims; and her husband, Oscar Sims III, all served in the military.
Her and Oscar’s parents all four served in the Army and Oscar III served in the Navy.
Miguel was a drill sergeant and served in conflicts from Desert Storm through Iraqi Freedom.
Michell served as an E-5, 71L Army, no conflicts. Oscar Jr served as a command sergeant major and also participated in conflicts from Desert Storm through Iraqi Freedom.
Ramona served in the area of military records/administration specialist and deployed during the Gulf War. Oscar III served as a gunner’s mate Navy Special Warfare.
“The values I learned are so important – like love of country and supporting your team – can be applied in all areas of life,” Sims said.
Sims previously wrote on the Lawton Proud website about how much she enjoyed growing up on Fort Sill.
“Waking up to the bugle horns at 5 a.m. to view the incredibly breathtaking skyline of Oklahoma, the tips of the Wichita Mountains and old artillery displays was and is a constant reminder of how blessed I was to grow up there.
“Visiting old historical facilities such as the Post Guardhouse, the Old Chapel and hearing stories of how Fort Sill was built and what buildings continue to be used today was fascinating. In fact, the house I grew up in was built in the late 1800s – talk about immersing in quality history!” she wrote. Sims said in a recent interview that she loves her experience called “military life.”
Veterans Day is special “Well, first we celebrate my mom’s birthday, which is Nov.
11,” Sims said. “And then we usually volunteer or attend a local event. One year we participated in ‘Steps Under Stars and Stripes.’
“I love my family’s attitude about Veterans Day. They never make it about themselves.
They don’t want the attention.
My husband always says that he feels the service did more for him than he did for them.
It speaks volumes about our military veterans.”