American Legion honors community heroes

A Seminole police officer shot by a suspect during a pursuit, a Shawnee firefighter, a victim’s advocate, several area teachers and a National Guard soldier, were honored during the American Legion’s annual banquet Tuesday night in Shawnee.
Jim Townsend served as master of ceremonies of the 11th annual American Legion Gill-Mattox Post No. 16 awards banquet, with Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Jari Askins serving as keynote speaker.
Each year, the American Legion honors “community members who have performed above and beyond the call of duty in service to others.”
Askins, honored by the crowd with a one-day belated singing of “Happy Birthday,” led by Legion Commander Joe Freeman, spoke about community service and how its makes communities strong. She praised the American Legion for being a strong advocate of patriotism and recognizing those who serve.
As a young child, Askins said she learned about patriotism through songs. By the time she was high school, she discovered, “I hadn’t just learned them in my head — I had learned them in my heart as well.”
She spoke of children learning acts of patriotism today and said there’s many great opportunities for children to learn. She talked about a joint House and Senate session held Tuesday for Veterans Awareness Day. And just like those being honored at the banquet, Askins said, “Sometimes we don’t often stop to say ‘Thank you,’” she said.
Askins closed by reading a piece written by the late Clem McSpadden, known as the voice of rodeo. Titled “If our flag could talk,” it was a tribute to the American flag.
Several award presentations followed.
Army National Guard Spc. Jonathan Flatt, of the 180th Alpha Company assigned to Shawnee, received the legion’s Solider of the Year honor.
Flatt joined the National Guard in 2005 and has served in Afghanistan. Selected by his peers, many of them combat veterans, Flatt was described as a “first-class soldier.”
District Attorney Richard Smothermon presented an award to a Seminole police officer whose life was forever changed by a traffic stop.
Smothermon, who first spoke of his father serving as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, said while many think of sports figures as heroes, the heroes are the men and women who serve with the American flag on their sleeve. After being in law enforcement for 20 years, he said he’s also learned heroes are police officers who put on a gun and badge every night, not knowing if they’ll come home.
He spoke of Jan. 6, 2007, a normal day for Seminole Police Officer Adam Good, who’d been on the force there just a few months. A traffic stop was anything but routine, Smothermon said, because Good didn’t know he had stopped an escaped convict sentenced to prison for 30 years.
When that man fled, a pursuit with speeds reaching more than 100 mph ensued and proceeded into Pottawatomie County. When the driver lost control on a curve, Good stopped and was at an elevated position on the road. When he stepped out of his patrol car, “he was immediately shot in the face,” Smothermon said, causing him to loose sight in one eye.
The officer took cover and through an exchange of gunfire with the suspect, was shot again in the leg. Good shot the suspect in the arm and leg and the passenger in the suspect vehicle died at the scene. The suspect in that case is now awaiting trial.
“Many would have given up their badge and gun. But his goal has always been to be a police officer,” Smothermon said, praising Good’s determination to continue his chosen profession. Since then, he said Officer Good has re-learned to shoot a firearm and drive a patrol car with use of one eye. He graduated the top of his class at the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training and currently works the overnight patrol shift.
Carmen Huebert, a victim’s advocate for Project Safe, Inc., Shawnee’s domestic violence and crisis center, was honored as well. She works as a child’s advocate, offering counseling and support to children, as well as men and women, in abuse situations. Huebert was described as someone who helps families in need.
Shawnee Fire Department Capt. Mike VanAntwerp for honored for his service. He’s been with the fire department for 16 years and is known as the “go-to” guy for equipment and fire truck maintenance, working to ensure the trucks are ready for the next emergency call, said Deputy Chief Dru Tischer.
Several teachers also were honored.
• Shawnee: Melody Wynn, who teaches math at Shawnee Middle School, was recognized by Superintendent Marilyn Bradford.
• Bethel: Superintendent Danny Glover honored the “Best of the best.” Teachers Amanda Guess, Sonja Palomares and Jenny Affentranger were honored. Teacher JoAnn Roberson also was honored, but was unable to attend.
• Dale: Superintendent Charles Dickinson honored teacher Allison Robinson, who was that district’s teacher of the year.
• Earlsboro: Principal Mark Maloy honored teacher Bonnie Moery for her outstanding work.
• Tecumseh: Kindergarten teacher Alecia Whitefield was honored by Tecumseh Superintendent Tom Wilsie and Krouch Early Childhood Center Principal Don Warden.
• Gordon Cooper Technology Center: Superintendent Marty Lewis honored Gene Harper and Darlene Griffith. Harper, maintenance supervisor, has been with GCTC for 23 years and Griffith, practical nursing instructor for 19 years, has trained many nurses over the years.
Legionnaire Dean McBride also received an award.
The annual banquet was held on the campus of Gordon Cooper Technology Center.
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Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962.