97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Airmen from the 97th Air Mobility Wing (AMW) gather to place flags at the headstones of veterans’ graves at Altus City Cemetery in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 10, 2021. The 97th AMW partners with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4876 to do this before every Veterans Day as well as Memorial Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Master Sgt. Tommy Lock, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels operations section chief, looks for veterans’ graves at Altus City Cemetery in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 10, 2021. Mirroring U.S. Flag Code for military funerals, flags are placed over the deceased’s left shoulder. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Capt. Isabella Zamarron, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron aerial operations flight commander, places an American flag next to the grave of a veteran at Altus City Cemetery in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 10, 2021. Currently, there are more than 370 veterans buried at the cemetery. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Leadership from Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4876 and the 97th Air Mobility Wing greet one another before a Veteran’s Day Ceremony at the Jackson County War Memorial in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 11, 2021. The VFW is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active duty, guard and reserve forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Honor Guard members from the 97th Air Mobility Wing perform ceremonial volleys at a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Jackson County War Memorial in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 11, 2021. In addition to the volleys, a fifth member of the Honor Guard detail, not pictured, was positioned away from the rest of her team and played “Taps” on a bugle. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Col. Blaine Baker, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Mr. Larry Hurd, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4876 commander, carry a wreath to be placed at the base of the Jackson County War Memorial in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 11, 2021. The vision of the VFW is to ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Chief Master Sgt. Cesar Flores, 97th Air Mobility Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, and Mrs. Debbie Hurd, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4876 Auxiliary president, salute after placing a wreath at the base of the Jackson County War Memorial in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 11, 2021. The memorial commemorates the 114 men from Jackson County who were killed while serving in World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Col. Blaine Baker, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Mr. Larry Hurd, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4876 commander, look on during a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Jackson County War Memorial in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 11, 2021. The mission of the VFW is to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts, to serve our veterans, the military and our communities, and to advocate on behalf of all veterans. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

From left to right, Col. Blaine Baker, 97th Air Mobility Wing (AMW) commander, Chief Master Sgt. Cesar Flores, 97th AMW Command Chief Master Sergeant, and Col. Jason Pavelschak, 97th AMW vice commander, participate in a cake cutting during a Veterans Day celebration at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4876 in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 11, 2021. Current VFW membership, including the VFW Auxiliary, stands at 1.5 million throughout the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Col. Blaine Baker, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, speaks during a Veterans Day celebration at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4876 in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 11, 2021. Col. Baker’s speech focused on the legacy established by veterans throughout the history of the United States and how today’s service members “stand on the shoulders of giants”. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

97th AMW, local VFW Post honor Veterans Day

Published Nov. 16, 2021
By 2nd Lt. Cameron Silver, 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

ALTUS, Okla. --

Veterans Day is a time to honor all of America’s veterans for their courage and selfless service. The 97th Air Mobility Wing (AMW) did just that by partnering with members from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4876 to pay respect to veterans in Altus, Oklahoma, Nov. 10-11, 2021.

On Nov. 10, Airmen from the wing and VFW members helped place hundreds of American flags at the graves of veterans at the Altus City Cemetery.

On Nov. 11, 97th AMW leadership and an Honor Guard detail helped VFW Post 4876 leadership place wreaths during Veterans Day ceremony at the Jackson County War Memorial. Col. Blaine Baker, 97th AMW commander, also gave a speech at the luncheon following the ceremony.