Two sections of highway named in honor of two fallen heroes

USMC Lance Corporal Nelson Matlock.

Born on February 23, 1943, Nelson Matlock was raised by his grandparents, P.D. and Mary Bragg, in Depew. Growing up, he made many friends and had many cousins in the area before meeting and marrying Sarah Jo Coleson on January 29, 1966, in West Point, Mississippi. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps in March of 1966, honorably serving as a mortarman with the 1st Marine Division, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, F Company. He was killed in action March 16, 1967, at the age of 24, in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, by small arms fire. Fortunately, his service and sacrifice will be honored in perpetuity, following the dedication of a stretch of Route 66 near Depew in his honor late last week.

Last Thursday, November 9, at 2 p.m., family, friends, Oklahoma Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert, and Senator Todd Gollihare gathered at the intersection of Flynn Avenue and Route 66, in Depew, to honor USMC Lance Corporal Nelson Matlock. Speaker Pro Tempore Hilbert and Senator Gollihare presented a citation to Cynthya “Cindy” Lynn Matlock Bobo, the daughter of Lance Corporal Matlock, while dedicating the LCpl Nelson Matlock Memorial Highway: the section of State Highway 66 beginning at the intersection of Flynn Avenue in Depew extending east to the intersection of South 433rd W Avenue in Creek County.

Mrs. Bobo noted that around 45 people attended the dedication ceremony and subsequent reception held at the Church of God at 6th Street and Pate in Depew. Family members in attendance included Lance Corporal Matlock’s daughter Cindy; granddaughter, Leah Allyn Bobo Robinson; great-grand- From Page One

daughter, Laynie Jack Robinson; sister, Sharon Younkin, and her daughter Stephanie; aunt, Melody Marr; and several cousins: Tammy Crumm; Travis Brown with wife Kara; Janet Cooper; Mary Ann Norris and husband Mark; and Kathleen Wiederholt with husband Mark and son Tim Howard. Numerous childhood friends also attended.

Although she never had the pleasure of meeting, interacting with, or being loved by her father in life, Mrs. Bobo lovingly got to know her father as a child through the stories and memories of him as retold by his family and friends. She expressed deepest gratitude for all those instrumental in imprinting those stories upon her heart and ensuring that his memory and sacrifice live on through the dedication of the highway in his honor. She wished to convey heartfelt thanks to Speaker Pro Tempore Hilbert, Senator Gollihare, and their staff for their work in seeing the dedication through to fruition, to the Church of God for hosting the reception, and for everyone who attended the ceremony and reception—many of whom traveled 13 or more hours to attend. She also conveyed a very special thanks to Ms. Letha Caudle “for working tirelessly on researching and helping recognize the veterans who sacrificed their lives to protect our country.”

Further, she expressed her appreciation for “the opportunity to meet several of Nelson's friends and hear more stories that I will always treasure. I also got to meet several members of the Matlock family that I have never met and that also is a true blessing.… Myheartisfullof admiration and respect [for my father], knowing he gave his life to make ours better.'

For his part, Speaker Pro Tempore Hilbert said 'It was an honor, joining the families and loved ones of Lance Corporal Nelson Matlock and Army Specialist Ryan Grady, as we took time this weekend to honor their sacrifices. It is my sincerest wish that these newlydedicated stretches of Route 66 and others like it across our state continually remind us of the bravery our veterans display and the service they so willingly gave to their country.'

United States Army Specialist Ryan J. Grady

Last Friday, Nov. 10, dozens gathered at Trinity Baptist Church to honor the memory of United States Army Specialist Ryan J. Grady, who served his country in Iraq with the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2006, having been awarded a Purple Heart, and who perished in 2010 at age 25 in service with the Vermont National Guard while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Specialist Grady came from a family committed to serving their country with at least one brother and his father also having served as guardsmen.

Local historical researcher, Ms. Letha Caudle, initiated the application into having a section of Oklahoma’s highways dedicated to Spc. Grady’s honorable service and sacrifice. Oklahoma Senator Todd Gollihare and Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert fulfilled the application, renaming a section of Route 66 in Bristow. The newly named Army Spc. Ryan J. Grady Memorial Highway fills the section of Oklahoma Highway 66 beginning at its intersection with Country Club Road on the southwest edge of Bristow extending northeasterly to its intersection with West 3rd Avenue.

Due to Friday’s chilly weather, the dedication ceremony was held in the sanctuary of Trinity Baptist Church. According to Ms. Caudle, the ceremony’s invocation was given by U.S. Army Specialist Renn Bane, who served from 2007 to 2012 with the 101st Airborne throughout multiple campaigns. The invocation was followed by the introduction of guests, given by Ms. Caudle. Bristow Mayor Kris Wyatt, Speaker Pro Tempore Hilbert, and Senator Gollihare were introduced. Special guest and Bristow High School graduate Colonel Carl Chasteen spoke in honor of Army Spc. Grady. Senator Gollihare presented Spc. Grady’s mother, Debra Grady of Bristow, with the citation. Ms. Caudle then presented the invitation to reception.

Following the ceremony, Senator Gollihare said “It was incredible to see how our community came together on this Veterans Day weekend to honor and thank all of our hometown heroes. Two of our veterans were honored with a token of appreciation that will be on permanent display and serve as a consistent reminder of their service and ultimate sacrifice. It was an honor to join the family and friends of Army SPC Ryan J. Grady and LCPL Nelson Matlock for the dedication of the memorial highways that have been named in their honor.”

Ms. Grady wished to express her sincere gratitude for all those in attendance, to Ms. Caudle for her efforts in ensuring her son’s legacy of service is remembered for many years to come, to Speaker Pro Tempore Hilbert and Senator Gollihare and their staff in securing the renaming and dedication of the highway in her son’s honor, and to Colonel Chasteen for eloquently speaking at the ceremony. She also wished to thank all speakers and Trinity Baptist Church for hosting the ceremony and reception. It is Ms. Grady’s wish that all do their due diligence to remember those who serve and sacrifice to uphold our freedoms.