Garvin County Veterans - Bray Doyle Veterans
Submitted by Diane Gann - gannd@aol.com

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              5 Veterans of World War II Honored at Bray-Doyle


BRAY-DOYLE - A special graduation ceremony was held Tuesday for eight 
World War II veterans who chose Bray-Doyle as their school. 
The veterans, five of whom were present and in their 70s, were moved 
to tears.   "These gentlemen made a great sacrifice for their country," 
said state Rep. Ray McCarter, who helped push an Oklahoma bill through 
which recognizes WWII veterans.  To receive a high school diploma, 
veterans must have served 18 consecutive months and received an honorable 
discharge. They can choose from which school they wish to 
receive a diploma. Many choose the school of the community where they 
reside. 

For veterans like John T. Stewart of Duncan, they choose because of 
family connections. "Five of my brothers and sisters went to school here," 
he said. Stewart said he wasn't aware of the new law until he attended an 
Eastern Star meeting in Marlow recently and a woman asked him 
if he would be getting his diploma. 

Stewart said he served four years and eight months in the U.S. Army. 
He joined and served basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, when he
was only 18 years old. Following basic, Stewart went to Camp McCoy, 
Wisc., to rebuild the 76th Infantry, then headed to Germany. 
He said one of his most vivid memories is that of lying in the snow 
while there. Receiving the diploma left him speechless. Tears welled 
up in his eyes. "When I watch a movie and it reminds me of then, I cry," 
he said. 

Joining Stewart were Charles K. Brenneis, J.C. Honeycutt, James "Sonny" 
Terrell and Bill Payne, who also accepted his brother's Paul J. Payne's 
diploma. Unable to attend but also recognized were Harold W. Lindsay and 
Harold "Happy" Medcalf. Ann Phillips accepted Medcalf's diploma on 
his behalf. 

Jack Williams, high school principal, called for a moment of silence 
during the ceremony. He told the student body that as they became older,
they would better understand all the veterans have sacrificed. 

The honored guests were treated to the National Anthem played by the B-D band 
and "America the Beautiful" sung by the choir.  Even Superintendent Kevin 
McKinley admitted to a bit of emotion during the ceremony.   "It was a 
privilege to do something like this. Rep. McCarter established a bill to 
do this to honor those who fought for our country and our freedom. It's a 
privilege to honor these people and to provide them with the acknowledgement 
for that which they had given so much," said McKinley.