hile the veterans in attendance exchanged cheerful banter and reminisced together, those attending the annual Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Veterans Recognition Lunch who were not veterans looked upon them with a sense of pride and thankfulness for their service to the country.
Tables with red, white and blue decor provided a symbolic tribute to those who could attend. An introduction of veterans, a guest speaker, generous sponsors, and a thankful Chamber of Commerce provided the recognition.
Retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Troy Hale, of Newcastle, was the luncheon’s guest speaker. He was introduced by Navy veteran Alan Davenport.
Hale was assigned and deployed to numerous locations in Europe and stateside. He attended and completed many officer basic and advanced courses as well as the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He earned a Bachelors degree from Oklahoma City College (now Oklahoma City Community College), and a Masters degree from Oklahoma State University.
He is branch qualified infantry, communications, field artillery, medical service, and general staff.
His final assignment was as Military Support to civil authorities at a division level headquarters. He served as the on ground Officer in Command at the Alfred P. Murrah federal building bombing.
Hale has been a resident of Newcastle since 1977. He has a son, Jeff, and a daughter, Rebecca, who also resides in Newcastle, and also a son who resides in Burbank, California.
Davenport introduced 2024 Newcastle High School graduate Aden Shumard. He received an appointment to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Shumard is one of the NHS Class of 2024 valedictorians.
Davenport also gave a brief introduction of all the veterans who were in attendance.
Honored attendees included: Davenport, David Ponstien, Gary Brown, Gene Reid, Joe McIntosh, John Wayne Wright, Larry Baldwin, Lonnie Davult, Matthew Wilson, Mike Lonteen, Mike Whaley, Mitchell Jacob, Paul Odom, Paul Juneau, Ray Dillman, Sean Eaton, and Hale.
The luncheon concluded with an armed forces medley with anthems played representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force. The veterans were asked to rise as their service’s anthem was played.
Upcoming Chamber activities were announced.
These include: an MCP Business Bites, noon to 1 p.m. June 12 at Mercadito Ortegon in Blanchard; a Morning Mingle at The First National Bank & Trust, 9 a.m. June 14; and the June Chamber Business Luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 25 at the Newcastle Library Community Room.
There’s also a Multi Chamber Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 17 in Blanchard.
Retired Lt. Colonel Troy Hale was the guest speaker for the Tuesday, May 28 Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Veterans Recognition Lunch. Hale has been a resident of Newcastle since 1977.
