March 11, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Serving , Western Oklahoma Ved g Sirice 1901 a Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Weekday Edition World War Il vet hits 75 years U.S. moves from coronavirus containment with military organization to preparing for daily He quit high school when the war started for the U.S. in disruptions 1941. He said after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in By John Tozzi, Bloomberg News December 1941, he was in Oklahoma City the next week The reality that the United States may not be able to con- enlisting in the Navy. tain the spread of the new coronavirus began to set in this Britton attends every Legion meeting — once a month — weekend as federal officials escalated warnings to vulner- and “very seldom” misses a meeting, Thompson said. able groups and said to prepare for more disruptions. “T feel pretty good about it,” Britton said about his 75 Oklahoma has one report of a person with coronavirus, years in the Legion. “I’m proud to say that. I’m proud of as state and local health officials and Oklahoma Gov. Kev- that 75. Hardly [anyone’s] got one. ... I’m proud of my in Stitt reported Friday the individual lives in Tulsa County World War II service, too, believe me.” and that there is no sign of community spread, reports say. “Tf there’s another 75-year [member], we'd like to know Trump administration officials appeared on the Sunday it or know them,” said Thompson, sitting nearby Thursday news talk shows to brace Americans for more changes to in the dining room of Elkwood, adding that that veteran See Coronavirus page 2. ——t we wouldn’t have to belong to the Legion to be recognized by Contifie of(Bir on Monbershys JOE H, BRITTON the American Legion. Britton called the American Legion an “encyclopedia of information for veterans,” explaining he learns more about Commissioners Joe Britton shows his certificate from the getting help for veterans than contacting Veterans Affairs. “Of course, you naturally hear a few war stories,” Brit- approved pay ton said about attending meetings. “Everybody’s got a war story in the American Legion,” applications for American Legion. Staff photo by Don Munsch. By Don Munsch, Editor Thompson said. “If they’re in the American Legion, most Joe Britton joined the American Legion when he was still in the military. That was a mere 75 years ago. of them, probably 95 percent of them anyway, have served somewhere in a war zone.” After his military service, Britton worked for Beckham ballfields Britton, 96, who lives at Elkwood Assisted Living Center By Don Munsch, Editor in Elk City, celebrates 75 years with American Legion Post County fora long time and also served as a county commis- sioner. He also worked for the state highway commission. Elk City City Commissioners on March 2 approved pay 181 in Elk City this month. Post 181 started after World War applications for Hellas Construction Inc. of Austin for its I, said Post 181 Commander Jerry Thompson. Thompson said Britton has a lot of intelligent memories work on synthetic turf for ballfields in town. A Navy veteran, Britton grew up in Elk City and was born to give to the American Legion. Britton still makes appear- Ballfields at Red Rock Stadium and 5-plexes for baseball 12 miles south of town, in Taylor. He served in the South ances at various venues, at libraries and schools, to talk and softball at Ackley Park West will have new turf this sea- Pacific during World War II. He was a submarine tender and about his experiences in the military. son. All told, 11 fields will have the new synthetic turf. repaired submarines during the war. He was home on leave “Tt’s hard to find a World War II who’s able to talk,” he Synthetic turf doesn’t have the maintenance issues that when he joined the American Legion. said. natural grass has. Plus, the synthetic turf opens the doors for city to draw tournaments to town because the possibility of Trojanettes : rainouts diminishes. The two pay applications were for Janu- ary - $203,058.94 — and February, $273,559.60. The fields were paid for by money coming from the Community Action give it their : Project Plans. The fields are still on schedule to be finished in time for allin OKC : upcoming seasons, The field at Red Rock Stadium is fin- ished and the Elk City High School baseball team has al- ready played games on the new surface. Canute High School basketball See ballfields page 2. players Kirstyn Strain, Madison Russ seeks Faylor and Haley Schreck and their teammates had a great ride in 2019-20 but came up a bit short Saturday in their quest to win the Class A state title. The Trojanettes lost to Hydro-Eakly reelection to 69-43 at the Big House in Okla- homa City. Read more about the game in sports, 10A. Photo by Jim Hodnett. House seat Oklahoma State Rep. Todd Russ announced last week University researcher delivers that he will seek reelection this year to House District 55 seat. House District 55 covers hope-filled presentation parts of five Western Okla- homa counties: Beckham, Greer, Kiowa, Rogers Mills By Don Munsch, Editor can be learned, said Hellman, a university researcher. Re- and Washita. Helping children have searchers have learned is that hope in the best predictor of “T am grateful for the lead- hope is what Chan Hellman well-being and that hope can be increased and learned both ership opportunities I have desires to see in those who Todd Russ been given and the accom- in children and adults. have suffered from child- plishments during my time “Hope is the belief that the future will be better than today, in the legislature,” Russ said in a news release. “It would be hood trauma. and that you have the power to make it so,” Hellman said, Having a sense of hope is my honor to continue to serve the citizens of House District reading a definition to educators who attended his morning 55 as their voice at the State Capitol.” what can help people who session at the Kelli O’Hara Center of Performing Arts Elk Russ was first elected to the Legislature in 2009. He is have dealt with trauma. Hope is a thought process, City in late February. The morning session, which had about chairman of the Transportation A&B committee and also and hope is something that 50 people in attendance, was one of three sessions Hellman serves on several other key committees: House Appropria Chad Hellman See University page 2. See Russ page 2. Weather Mail delivery View online ALE tomorrow / 33 Vol. 118, No. 18 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com