March 25, 2020 Issue, Page 2 of 10

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Page 2 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma ‘Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Round Town Military options Haaken was weighing his between college call the buildings ships to and the armed forces when about the daily struggles of portance to make sure that ship,” Shameron said. “They dren and trying to stay posi- help get them ready to be the virus was not quickly basic training on our chil- passed around at graduation Current events have Military Trevor made his choice to crew members, Haaken tive about your parenting and then carried to so many been cancelled. Before Continued from page 1. sign up. could see Trevor in pass- abilities to raise that child different military installa- planning a visit please wasn’t quite ready for col- “He kind of always wanted ing, but they couldn’t talk. It to be able to handle it,” she tions. It is the overall well- lege yet,” she said. “His dad to be in the service,” Sham- made me feel better that he said. ness of our military person- contact the establish- is a Navy veteran and spent eron said. “He and a couple Trevor completed _ his nel to remain healthy, even had a familiar face there.” ment to see if the event his Navy career on subma- of friends went and talked to training first, and Lee Ann if it means tough sacrifices The recruits are put to you were looking for has rines. Trevor quickly decid- the navy recruiter and liked the test in a grueling eight flew up to Illinois to watch by them, their families, and ed that he would instead join what he had to say. Trevor weeks of physical and men- his graduation on March 6th. been rescheduled. friends. I completely support the Navy and spend some signed up, and a week later, tal obstacles designed to see “Graduation is something the decision.” time exploring the world and Haaken signed up too.” if they have what it takes to extraordinary,” Lee Ann Shameron was impressed Please remember to growing up before attending Since they joined a week be in the United States Navy. said. “When you walk into with the extra effort the wash your hands regu- college. Plus the GI Bill is a apart, they were housed in Lee Ann doesn’t remember the building where the cer- Navy put into making the nice way to get an education the same building at bootthat time fondly. emony is performed, you larly and practice social graduation as special as they without having student loan camp. “There are countless days can feel the energy and ex- could for the recruits and distancing. debt.” “They were on the same and nights spent worrying citement of the 3,000 family their families. members there to see their “They still had their cer- having church weighed on trip to Walmart and how he loved ones. From the very Churches decisions for the best out- emony on March 13th, and it Rodgers’ mind. comes for everyone. couldn’t find certain sup- beginning, when the drum- was live-streamed, so I was “Lord, we pray for our plies and food. He said he mers enter playing, and you “Tt is difficult on the soul Continued from page 1. to cancel church,” Rodgers community, we pray for a could sense the nervousness can feel it in pounding in able to watch it,.” she said. “They let the kids do shout- spread will be better in said. time in which we are unable of people at the store that your chest, to the moment time for the Easter service The church is committed to see each other, to touch you see your sailor march in outs to their families, and day. He described myriad the Navy took and posted a on April 12. to providing worship and the other in way we would like,” emotions he had that after- front of you with their head “Time will tell to see if we best pastoral care it can dur- he said. held high and proud. To that lot more pictures than usual noon at Walmart, and then get to meet then or not,” he ing the coronavirus crisis, He also prayed that the final moment, when they an- online. The bleachers were said. and the staff understood the community will be one of he discussed plans to hold nounce ‘Liberty call, Liberty empty, but they had a bunch The church’s morning and changes needed at the mo- faith even when people can’t services, which would not call,’ which is the go-ahead of their higher-up people evening services on Sun- ment. The service went on be in the same room, and he include congregants and be to run down and hug my son there. They still got to grad- day night are broadcast on Sunday, albeit differently gave thanks for all the bless- done online and with a skel- so tight and cry those proud uate in front of people. They Sparklight channel 6, so that from times in the past. The ings God has already shown eton crew. tears of joy. There he stood, had a barbecue and opened would be another chance for Sunday the congregation people and that the commu- “] just want you to know different, but in a good way. up the rec rooms, had a cel- people to access a service. comes back for formal wor- nity remains safe during this we think it is vital that we He was no longer my little ebration for them, and let “We're just encouraging ship in the church building, time. He also gave thanked still have worship,” he said. boy, but a man that the Navy them have base privileges our people to minister and especially if it is after Easter, God for his greatest gift — “We are still the body of had molded into something and relax. They tried to to encourage each other,” it will be an Easter-type ser- Jesus Christ. Pascoe then led Christ, and while we can’t spectacular. Wow!! Bravo make it as special for them as he said. “It just seems like vice in which resurrection is the Lord’s Prayer. physically be together, that Zulu!” they could. Even though we there’s a lot of fear and un- celebrated, Rodgers said. Jimi O'Hara, children’s doesn’t mean we have to The following Monday, couldn’t physically attend, it certainty in the nation now During the church service director at the church, then stop being the church. In the Navy announced that doesn’t diminish what these as people come to grips with Sunday, the church service gave a message to children fact, we're going to find because of the spread of CO- recruits accomplished.” something we've not had to tried to keep normalcy with who were watching at home. VID-19, they were not al- ways to be the church even lowing any civilians at any Lee Ann couldn’t agree face before. So I’m just en- prayers and songs, with just She told children she knows while we’re apart. And the more. couraging our church people a few staffers and members they may feel lonely and graduations until further no- reason I believe that to be so, tice. “They have done some- to live in faith and not in on hand. In a prayer, Pascoe anxious. fear.” asked God to keep watch “And when we are anx- is these words ... from the “When I found out that thing that not everyone can He said his church has over people as they cope ious and lonely, we turn to Apostle Paul: Nothing, noth- Shameron would not be able do,” she said. “They are elite prayed for the people who with something causing such things that give us comfort,” ing can separate us from the to experience that which T in their way; if it were easy, have coronavirus and their strife. she said, noting it could be love of God in Christ Jesus cherish so much, my heart then everyone would do it.” families and the people in “We know, Lord, that you a blanket, stuffed animal our Lord.” broke,” Lee Ann said. “And Haaken took it all in stride, their lives. have not abandoned us, we or favorite book. She told He said that message Haaken? Having to march in trusting in what the Navy In the days before the first know that you still sit upon children that God com- resonated with him on this front of empty rows of seats thought was best. online service in a near va- the throne in our world and forts people in many ways, “strange” Sunday morn- must be devastating. I im- “My kid is very pragmat- cant Elk City United Meth- that you are still ultimately such as sending people into ing. These days, he said he mediately felt horrible and ic about things,” she said. odist sanctuary, Rodgers dis- in control,” Pascoe said. their lives, such as parents, doesn’t want to look at his guilty that I got to attend “Haaken called me and said, cussed the planning for the He asked for guidance grandparents, siblings and phone for the latest news and spend the weekend with Mom, I didn’t join the Navy online service that occurred during this time of grief and church family. He also send my son and yet she wouldn’t where you could watch me alerts, because he knows at the church, which has can- difficulty, and that God’s his word, the Bible, O’Hara they will be bad. He doesn’t even get to hug her son.” graduate; I joined the Navy celed all midweek program- will be done to those parts of said. Shameron was extremely to serve my country.” ming for the next couple of the world that are absolutely O'Hara, in a prayer shawl, have to worry about the upset but quickly realized Lee Ann admires her son’s weeks. ravaged. said she feels God’s arms ESPN app going off, though, the Navy made the right de- best friend and his mother, The church decided “Lord, we pray for those to around her with love, protec- because there have been no cision. and said, “IfI had not been go with online services in- who are in the front lines tion and comfort. sports lately. “Initially, I was mad, I’m able to attend my son’s grad- definitely, Rodgers said in of battling this disease,” he “You can find anything Rodgers said people are not going to lie, And then I uation, I pray that I could the interview in his office said. “We give you thanks you need to comfort you, worried about food and sup- had to step back and think have handled it as well as with associate minister Ben that you have brought doc- but I want you to know this: plies, a national or state quar- about it for a second,” she Shameron and Haaken did, Pascoe. Rodgers said his tors and nurses and scientists God’s always with you, he’s antine and whether someone said. “If the United States with their positive attitudes church’s conference dictated into the world that are hard always always looking you in their family contracts the Navy, an employer that and loving support of one that the church was to follow and everything is going to be virus. He implores church sends employees into the at work battling this dis- another. I am very close with recommendations set forth ease, pushing it back, keep- OK,” she said. members to be in prayer for line of fire, is deeming this my son, and Shameron and by the Centers for Disease ing people healthy, treating She told children that the those how have the virus and a threat and is canceling to Control and Prevention. those who are sick, putting church prays for them and for their caretakers and for keep these recruits safe, then Haaken are also very close. “We also recognize this their own selves, their own their families every day, and the leaders trying to figure T need to take it seriously. I What makes these obstacles might take us through Eas- lives, at risk.” if they need something, they feel like they made the right in life easier to get through ter,” he said. The church He also asked for God’s can call the church, out this crisis and for health- choice.” is the loving support of a leadership will closely mon- protection of those people “We send you our love and care workers and everyone Lee Ann echoed the senti- strong mother.” itor CDC reports and the on the front lines and that understanding,” she said, be- on the front lines. Church ment, commenting, “I feel Trevor stayed at Great governor’s office and White they be the “agents of your fore praying. members can be the church that because these sailors Lakes to complete A school reports for guidance. Rodg- healing hands all around the In his sermon, Rodg- when they are not in the travel to so many different to be a fire controlman, and ers’ congregation has been world.” Pascoe also prayed ers discussed the crisis and physical building of worship locations following gradu- Haaken is going to A school supportive of church deci- for people in leadership and how it has affected him by praying and lifting the ation for additional training in Florida to be an Aviation sions. But the idea of not that God helps them make and others. He described a spirits of others. that it was of utmost im- Machinist. “As this is a very fluid management, nutritional ser- cipal. The building principal Crisis well as breakfast for the next to protect the public and and dynamic situation, we vices and maintenance may day, the district said. Drop- will contact parents to make county staff members from are receiving new informa- continue, Hofmeister said. off points can be found on arrangements for pick-up. unnecessary exposure, ac- Continued from page 1. tion continually from the To that end as far as nutri- Parents should avoid visiting cording to a news release. the district Facebook mes- Elk City Public Schools Oklahoma State Department tional services are involved, the school buildings because sage from Garrison. Commissioners met in the Schools statewide will re- of Education (OSDE) and Elk City Public Schools be- they are closed. Also, the district said its emergency meeting Thurs- main closed until April 5. In Centers for Disease Control gan a “Mobile Meal” dis- Backpack Food Program For more information on day morning, along with the a statement on the Elk City (CDC),” Garrison said. “We tribution on Monday. The will continue and drop- anything during this hia- county’s Emergency Man- Public Schools Facebook recommend that you look grab-and-go meals are of- off deliveries will be made tus, people can call the dis- agement Director and other page, Elk City Superinten- to these places for the most fered at no cost to children March 27 and April 3 to stu- trict office at 580-225-0175 county officers and their dent Rick Garrison said the current information.” 18-years-old or younger and dents who participate. Those or email Debra Maxwell representatives, following Oklahoma State Board of Garrison noted in the re- to those with disabilities who who do not wish to receive a at maxwell.debra@elkci- an elected officers meeting Education met March 16 for lease that State Superinten- are 21 years old or younger. delivery should call the dis- tyschools.com. Wednesday afternoon. Com- an emergency meeting. Dur- dent Joy Hofmeister said Children must be present trict office. Beckham County missioners approved a proc- ing this meeting, the board “cessation of operation to receive the meals. The Concerning student medi- Beckham County Com- lamation at the Thursday approved a mandatory state- would include all instruc- school district has identified cine, district leaders said missioners decided in an meeting, which took effect wide cessation of operations tional activities and servic- 10 places in the community parents or guardians needing emergency meeting Thurs- Friday, restricting public ac- for public schools in the es, grading, extracurricular where these meals will be to pick up student medicine day to keep the courthouse cess to county buildings and state because of the Cov- activities, and_ professional distributed Monday through will need to call the central and county services opera- offices until further notice. id-19 global pandemic, with development.” But essential Friday. Those who partici- office between 9-1 p.m. The tional, but they are restrict- The county will still con- the closure set to remain in clerical and administrative pate in the program will re- central office will deliver the ing public access to all coun- duct all necessary business, effect until April 5. activities such as business ceive a nutritious lunch as message to the building prin- ty buildings as a precaution See Crisis page 3.