November 10, 2021 Issue, Page 12 of 18

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November 10, 2021 Youth Librarian and brothers among Western Oklahoma Veterans Iraq; the unit was constantly ing the Guard’s annual sum- on the move and was tasked mer training at Fort Lee, with providing service and Va., which McNaught fondly supplies such as fuel, water recalled to Haught as being purification and laundry ser- “one of the best times of her vice to their colleagues. They life,” as she reminisced about also stood guard over fuel, the Memorial Day weekend water points and front gates that she spent in the Nation’s to compounds. Also, though capital. McNaught would have been Once back in Oklahoma, adept at the mortuary ser- she resumed her career in vices that were set up, she mortuary science, working thankfully never had to pro- at funeral homes in Shaw- vide them. nee for a year before mar- Donna McNaught Donald Bledsoe Martin Bledsoe Glenn Bledsoe Conditions were unsurpris- rying and moving to Iowa. ingly rough as the unit con- Once her daughter was born, By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan roes in Our Midst.” year. However, McNaught First Class) and eventually to tinued into Iraq and found not wanting to have to leave If you've been to the Youth According to the book, af- had always found the idea of Specialist. McNaught’s first themselves encountering home for drill, McNaught Library at the Elk City Carn- ter graduating high school in military service appealing assignment was at Konawa, Iraqi soldiers whom they made her exit from the Na- egie Library at any point Leedey in 1983, McNaught and so, after meeting a wom- Okla., where she attended took prisoner and even once tional Guard. In addition, the since Nov. 2001, then you’ve enrolled at Southwestern an who was in the Oklahoma drill during the first week- had an intense and scary ex- requirements that came with likely met Donna Bledsoe Oklahoma State University. National Guard, McNaught end of every month. Then, perience in which three Iraqi the mortuary business were McNaught. Many know her However, it didn’t quite seem decided to join in 1989. in 1990, the United States tanks had their sights set on also not desirable in family for her dedicated work for to be the right fit and so she Though she of course at- entered into Operation Des- the American troops. Thank- life, so McNaught enrolled at and with the community's transferred to the University tended basic training, she ert Storm and McNaught and fully, that tale ends with the the University of Iowa where children but what they may of Central Oklahoma where was able to skip AIT (Ad- her unit were called to duty. arrival of American tanks she earned a degree in educa- not know is that before she she majored in biology and vanced Individual Training) After spending six weeks at and the retreat of the en- tion. She put that degree to started her career at the li- minored in mortuary science since her MOS (military oc- Fort Sill receiving training, emy’s. The Guard unit spent use when she joined the Elk brary, McNaught served in in order to pursue a career as cupational specialty) was the 2120 supply and services six months in the region be- City Carnegie Library. the military. Perhaps fitting a mortician. Once she earned mortuary science, which she unit was deployed to Saudi fore returning to the States. McNaught is not the only given her career, McNaught her bachelor’s degree, she obviously already had experi- Arabia. Once there, the unit Once back, McNaught first member of her family to serve is featured in Judy Haught’s apprenticed at three differ- ence in, She immediately was eventually made their way found herself at Fort Sill for their country; her father had first veteran anthology, “He- ent mortuaries over the next promoted to PFC (Private across Saudi Arabia and into a few weeks before attend- See McNaught page 5. 4 \/ MEE VETERANS D/ my === HON Ears * ek cbebyeatin ur Vetérans (i3ndurance 580-225-2690 105 Regional Dr Elk City GUNS * AMMO * OPTICS * RELOADING SUPLLIES * PERSONAL DEFENSE Federal Credit Union 1901E. 20th Street, Elk City (1 Mile South of Walmart) + 580-225-8884 www.endurancefcu.org Insured by NCUA “The willingness of America’s veterans “The highest diesen a to sacrifice for our country has earned privilege of citizenshipis that of them our lasting gratitude. bearing arms for one’s country.” - Jeff Miller - George S. Patton Jr. PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF OKLAHOMA An AEP Company BOUNDLESS ENERGY~ We want to thank our Veterans for their service and to those in the service today! TERRY'S FURNITURE (580)lersturnitureshowroomcom 5a 4006 OR (800)925-4006 SHOWROOM Monday 2001 SOUTH MAIN Through Saturday ELK CITY, OKLAHOMA 9-6