Local News
General: Museum needs $2 million
EDMOND — Oklahoma’s top military adviser to Gov. Brad Henry told members of the Edmond Kiwanis Club he plans to ask the Legislature for $2 million for a new wing on the 45th Infantry Division Museum.
Major Gen. Harry M. “Bud” Wyatt III, the adjutant general of Oklahoma, commands units of the Air and Army National Guard, and he oversees the museum. Wyatt was the featured speaker Wednesday during a Kiwanis luncheon on the University of Central Oklahoma campus.
Wyatt said the museum, at 2145 N.E. 36th St. in Oklahoma City, needs space to grow.
“We are stuffed to the gills with exhibits, most of them World War II, but also some Gulf War stuff and some Air National Guard stuff,” Wyatt said.
Putting in a plug for the museum, Wyatt called it the best state-run military museum.
“We have some things that the national museums are wanting very badly to get from us,” he said.
Currently, the museum, which stands on a 15-acre park, has 27,000 square feet of exhibit space. The museum is funded by the Legislature through the Oklahoma Military Department and the 45th Infantry Division Association, the closest thing it has to a fundraising arm, Wyatt said.
Membership to the association is open to anyone who wants to pay dues, Wyatt said. The main pool is former members of the 45th Infantry Division, he said. Other sources of revenue come from donations by patrons and from gift shop purchases.
In other remarks, Wyatt discussed the role of Oklahomans in forging a relationship with a key Iraq war ally — Azerbaijan.
“We here in Oklahoma get to play the part of fostering that relationship, and I’m very proud of the state partnership,” he said.
Situated along the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan shares borders with Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran. Azerbaijan also is a conduit for the 1,000-mile Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which carries oil from the Caspian Sea through Georgia to Turkey. By some accounts, Caspian oil fields may hold the world’s third largest reserves.
Oklahomans and Azerbaijanis have had exchange programs. Wyatt said he works with Azerbaijan’s minister of defense to promote humanitarian efforts.
Al Warren, incoming president of the Edmond chapter, said headlines about the financial crisis have drawn attention away from national security issues, but the sacrifices of Wyatt and the men and women serving in the armed forces should not be forgotten.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108
- Local News
-
-
3-16 Communtity: your news
Calvey to speak at Kiwanis meeting
Kevin Calvey, local businessman, Army National Guard captain and candidate for Oklahoma’s U. S. Congressional 5th District, will be the guest speaker at the Edmond Kiwanis Club meeting on Wednesday. -
3-16 Scorecard: Legislative Update
Senate Bill 1996
Summary: This bill requires privatization of the state-backed CompSource workers’ compensation insurance provider.
Vote: Passed Senate 25-21
Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye
Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye -
Ex-CASA worker to serve 20-year sentence
A former worker for an Oklahoma association formed to help abused and neglected children was ordered to prison Monday after pleading guilty to his part in embezzling about $500,000.
-
Swine Week breaks record
Wild hugging and cheering rippled through the Memorial High School student body Friday afternoon when the Swine Week announcement was made that they are true record-breakers.
-
State reviews ME’s office finances
The State Auditor and Inspector’s Office this week told House leadership that lack of planning and expecting annual increases in state funding helped land the State Medical Examiner’s Office in a precarious financial position, according to information obtained by The Edmond Sun.
-
Lawmakers write governor, protest parole
Two state lawmakers are urging Gov. Brad Henry to deny parole for an inmate convicted in the murder of an Edmond man, calling him a continuing threat to Oklahomans.
- Bethany man campaigns for stronger country
-
3-13 Calendar: Edmond senior center
Monday
1 p.m.: *Beginning tap
2:15 p.m.: *Jazzercise Lite -
3-13 Community: your news
Bureau encourages mail-back of census questionnaires saves taxpayer dollars
The 2010 Census is well under way, with the U.S. Census Bureau mailing 2010 Census questionnaires to about 120 million addresses nationwide. The questionnaires will arrive March 15-17. Residents are encouraged to complete the 10-question census form when it arrives and to return it in the accompanying pre-paid envelope as soon as possible. -
Edmond officer becomes part cop, part detective
An Edmond Police officer is a hybrid — part street cop, part detective.
And because of her invaluable service to the Edmond Police Department, Officer Patricia DeMoss has been named the agency’s Officer of the Month for February.
Edmond Police Officer Nathan Fountain nominated DeMoss for the award, which involves voting by DeMoss’s fellow officers. - More Local News Headlines
-
3-16 Communtity: your news
