June 28, 2019 Issue, Page 2 of 20

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PG2 4TH OF JULY SPECTACULAR, Friday, June 28, 2019 Chambers served in Vietnam left for Vietnam in May 1968. He He spent one year and 43 days was discharged when he came was 19. in Vietnam. back home to Fort Dix, New Jer- When he arrived in Bien Hoa, “Scary” is how he describes sey. The enlistment called for six Vietnam, he was placed in the the experience in Vietnam. years for Army personnel. 34th Engineer Group at Vung “I matured very rapidly,” he “You were committed to six Tao. said. “There was no more goofing years, butI was never asked to “Where I was sent, they didn’t off” be in reserves or National Guard need any radio operators, and it Chambers read “Battle Cry” or anything,” he said, but they was me and another fellow, and by Leon Uris and knew he had to could still call him up for during the personnel sergeant asked if find someone in his unit who had that six years. one of us could type,” he said. his back, and said it was impor- After coming home, he said “T raised my hand and said yes, tant to have a close relationship her spent a year playing pool and which was partially true - I could with at least one other person. gambling. kind of type.” For Chambers, it was Ronald “The trouble with that lifestyle Chambers was directed to Wells, who was from Detroit, is either you have a lot of money another building, where a clerk who had his back. He did not in your picket or you don’t have was needed because a clerk was keep in touch with Wells after any,” he said. “You can’t win all Steve Chambers. Staff photo by Don Munsch. rotating home, and interviewed the war. [“Battle Cry,” a novel, the time.” for that job. was based on Uris’ experiences He went to Tupelo, Missis- By Don Munsch he attended nearby Bethel “Probably the nest interview in the Marines in World War IL] sippi, and spent a year there and Editor College for a short time before Tever gave,” he said. He was a Another memory that stands worked at a Pizza Hut. He didn’t leaving - after one semester security and intelligence clerk out for Chambers: Working care for Tupelo ~ he disliked Steve Chambers said his -and got ajob at a local Pizza and oversaw classified docu- around West Point graduates, the climate and class-conscious experience in Vietnam during Hut. He received his Army draft ments. He never saw combat, but who neither big-timed others nor atmosphere - and when the op- the Vietnam War forced him to notification in 1967 and went to did endure mortar and rocket emitted any feeling of superior- portunity came to go to Western mature in a hurry. Fort Bliss in El Paso for eight attacks. ity. Oklahoma, he jumped at the Chambers, who moved to Elk weeks of basic training and then “I was very fortunate,” he said. “They were regular guys with chance. He went to Weatherford City in 1973, owns Pizza Hut went to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, He was in Vung Tao for six you,” he said. in the early 1970s and started his restaurants in Elk City, Clinton for an eight additional weeks months and then transferred to Back home first Pizza Hut. He and his wife, and Weatherford. of training as a radio operator. Can Tho where he continued as a He arrived home in the U.S. Vicki, got married in 1971. He A native of Newton, Kansas, After that training period, he security and intelligence clerk. with an additional 43 days, so he came to Elk City in 1973 to start ‘Thank you to the brave men and women who have sewed ot curently serving! ‘Wicking everyone i our communtiy a safe and happy 4th! RENTALS & SALES, INc 580-225-1400 | South Main Street, Elk City Bies| fd the star-spangled banner THRU TUBING “Independence Day: freedom has its life in the hearts, the forever shall wave —* actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and O’er the land of the free and the refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it home of the brave!” Francis Scott Key 1501 E 20th St, will wither and die” - Dwight D. Eisenhower Elk City, OK 73644 As we celebrate Independence Day, we are once again reminded that freedom is not free. Just as America fought (580) 225-6977 Yes Finance for independence in 1776, American troops continue to defend freedom around the world today. July Fourth is a day to honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much to protect our liberty. It's a day to proudly celebrate “We Love To Say Yes!” —_- ‘our great country and the ideals it represents. Ey2 Happy Birthday, America - let freedom ring forever! [MACHINE &o&,Re, 1414 West 3rd Street, Elk City « 580.225.1525 ‘A Division of Thr Tbing Solutions