November 10, 2021 Issue, Page 18 of 18

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10 November 10, 2021 Lowery Lowery found himself working in a fueling station 12 hours a day, seven days a week for 27 dollars a month. He married his wife, Nor- ma, in 1947. He says that “she let me live with her for 71 and a half years.” They weren't able to have children but they adopted a four- day old baby girl in Fort Worth, Texas in 1960. Lowery describes her as “smart and very knowledge- able.” Lowery explains that she was a juvenile diabetic and passed away in Weatherford, Okla. in 1999 and that he and her mother “loved her very dearly.” Herman Lowery Lowery worked in the oilfield 46 Continued from page 9. years. He lived in Texas, primar- ily Wheeler, for 35 years. He and the crowd of people that had been Norma lived in Elk City for 13 your appreciation waiting for the ship. He shares years. Norma lived at Bell Avenue that it wasn’t until they called Nursing Home for four years and “Lowery” that he even realized they also lived in Corn for around that he was one of six Lowerys six years which is where Norma that were on board. From there passed away three years ago and he made it to back Illinois where he was discharged. He told how where Herman lived until he moved into the VA Center. Lowery for the military in a unique time he turned his gear in, including has long been involved in several his overcoat, and being February, civic organizations including the United States military person- for everyone, perhaps no group they last served, + Donate to charities that serve it was so cold that he went and Masons, which he always wanted nel serve both domestically and has sacrificed more than men and - Help a military family. Data from the military. Adults who have not abroad. Active-duty personnel are women over 65, millions of whom the Office of the Undersecretary been vaccinated and are hesitant begged for it back. to join because his dad was a Ma- following in the footsteps of re- have been separated from their of Defense indicates that there to be around others can still show Lowery was given three hundred son, and the Shriners. He says, tired veterans and protecting the families. Aging men and women were roughly 1.3 million active- their appreciation for military ser- dollars when was discharged and “Tm a Shriner and they can’t take freedoms of their fellow Ameri- spent a year or more isolated at duty military personnel in 2018. vice members. Various organiza- recalls doing a bit of hitch hik- that from me,” and he says that cans while also playing a vital role home to protect themselves from Many of those service members tions help both active-duty mili- ing and bus riding to get back to the Masons “make you a better in protecting millions of non- a virus that public health officials serve overseas for months at a tary and veterans, and donating to Carmi, He says that since there man.” ‘Americans across the globe. acknowledged was especially le- time. Their families back home such charities can be a great way were no phones and no way to tell Now 96 years old, Lowery says United States military personnel thal to people over 65. Adults who can use a helping hand even in the to help an excellent cause. If you're anyone that he was back, when that ‘life has been pretty rough make myriad sacrifices every day. want to show their appreciation best of times, but they might be unsure about which organization he reached home, he walked in for us but we've had a good life. I Recognition of those sacrifices is for military veterans can reach out especiallyneedy while confronting to support, visit Charity Navigator the yard and hollered and that his wasn't an angel by no means.” His just one of the many ways Ameri- to local veterans’ organizations the pandemic. Though vaccination at charitynavigator.org. Charity family came out of the house and says his dream would be to buy an cans can show their appreciation and offer to lend a hand. Such projections suggest hundreds of Navigator evaluates hundreds of “that was about it.” Lowery served RV and travel to small churches for the military, even during the organizations may be delivering millions of Americans will be fully thousands of charitable organiza- in four out of five battles and has to sing. Of his time in the Army, era of social distancing. meals to vulnerable veterans, driv- vaccinated by mid-summer, in the + Help a veteran. According to the ing veterans to appointments to meantime neighbors can help lo- tions and can be an invaluable re- four battle stars of which he says he says that he’s “very proud and source for prospective donors. US. Census Bureau, as of 2019 see their doctors or get vaccinated cal military families handle life at he's proud. He says there's two honored to be a US Veteran and there were 17.4 million military or organizing events for veterans home. Invite a local military fam- Veterans and active military per- things that he wouldn't let happen would do it again if I could. I loved veterans living in the United who have already been vaccinated. ily over for a weekly meal, offer sonnel deserve support. There are once he got out of the Army: “I it, loved the people” States. More than half of those Pitching in to help with such ef- to take kids to a sports practice if various ways for people to express won't let nobody push me or pull Lowery extends a hello to all of his veterans are 65 or older. As diffi- forts is a great way to show veter- it's safe to do so or help out with that support, even as the world me and nobody's gonna tell what I friends and invites them to con- cult as social distancing during the ans their efforts are still appreciat- chores like mowing the lawn or continues to confront the pan- can do or what I can’t do.” tact him. COVID-19 pandemic has proven ed, even if it's been decades since washing the car. demic Hylton’s Flowers 701 N. Main St, Elk City, OK * 580-225-1265