From the Desk of Rep. John Talley, District 33
(Stillwater, Oka) — On July 3, 1776, John Adams, one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence and a future president, wrote that he was “well aware of the toil and blood and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means.”
The very next day, on July 4, 1776, 56 brave men signed their names to a document proclaiming that our brand new nation would fight and face possible death to be free. Many of the signers paid dearly and lost their families, fortunes and even their lives. Still today, thousands of brave men and women step up to serve in our military, and their sacrifices do not go unnoticed.
I am extremely grateful to the many veterans who call House District 33 home. Over the past six years, I have had the great blessing to host many of them at our State Capitol as our House Veteran of the Week, as well as visit with our veterans at events throughout the district.
Additionally, I have had the privilege to work with constituents, lawmakers and state officials to name several highways in House District 33 after some of our veterans.
In 2021, we named a portion of Highway 18 north of Cushing for Terry Hoggatt, a Cushing native who served in Vietnam as a helicopter door gunner. He received many commendations, including the Purple Heart, before he returned to his hometown, where he eventually became the managing editor of the Cushing Daily Citizen.
In 2022, we honored Roy “Junior” Herring by naming State Highway 18 north of the Highway 33 intersection after him. He served in the Army during World War II and, despite suffering a back injury, assisted his company in retrieving a sole remaining wounded soldier and a strategic radio. He earned numerous awards, including a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
Last year, we recognized the legacy of William “Bill” Ahrberg, a decorated Korean War veteran who lived in Cushing for many years. He served in the Navy for a year before eventually joining the Army Reserve and serving in Korea. He was awarded three Silver Stars, which is the Army’s third-highest military decoration for valor in combat, and he was also inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2014.
This session, I worked with Rep. Collin Duel of Guthrie to name a memorial highway after Helen Freudenberger Holmes, a graduate of Oklahoma A&M. She was the first woman from Oklahoma to be sworn into the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, where she served as a public relations officer and reached the rank of major before retiring from active duty in 1948. She served on Guthrie City Council and was elected mayor in 1979.
Just as John Adams predicted on the night before history was changed forever, it has indeed taken much toil, blood and treasure to protect our freedom, but the end has been well worth all the means.
As Americans, we have so many protected rights that are continually at risk in countries around the world, including the right to vote and the right to freedom of religion. America is the freest nation in the world, thanks to our brave citizens who answer the call.
As we celebrate Independence Day, I hope each of you take a moment to pause and reflect on the greatness of our nation.
As always, please reach out if there’s anything I can assist with. You may contact me at 405-557-7304 or [email protected] with any questions or concerns. Happy Fourth of July!
