March 25, 2015

Tahlequah celebrated one of its wounded warriors March 24 during the groundbreaking of his future home.

Over 200 people came to see the first spades of earth turned on behalf of retired Spec. Aaron Estes. Jeff Ragland, a retired U.S. Army colonel and executive director of Helping a Hero, said it is the largest group of people he has ever seen assembled at a groundbreaking event.

“Normally on a groundbreaking, we’ll see 100 folks, maybe,” said Ragland. “It’s a testament to this community.”

Helping a Hero is a nonprofit organization that provides adapted homes for severely wounded post-9/11 veterans. During the ceremony, members pointed out the homes are not free to the veterans; they pay a $50,000 mortgage, though the homes cost about $250,000 to build.

Ragland said veterans have told him they are glad to receive “a hand up instead of a hand out,” and Estes is a perfect example of the veterans the organization serves.

“He is humble, yet extremely noble,” said Ragland.

Estes was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. As an intelligence analyst, he was known for working long hours, even falling asleep at his desk, as he tried to keep other soldiers safe.

His commanding officer told those gathered at the groundbreaking that Estes had found a pattern on one road as to when IED explosions took place. The only information still needed was how the IEDs were set up so they could be recognized on patrols.

Estes went out with a patrol to take a picture of the IED. When he did, it exploded.

Two soldiers were killed, and three – including Estes – were injured. When Estes was pulled to safety, his first priority before losing consciousness was to pass off the camera with the photos of the IED.

After Estes’ discovery, no more soldiers in that unit died due to an IED explosion.

Estes returned stateside and began treatment at the San Antonio Military Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. While Estes was in Texas for the many surgeries he went through, as well as rehabilitation, local veteran support groups became more involved.

“We’ve been working with Aaron for a long time,” said Billie Walker, a member of Blue Star Mothers. “We feel like a kindred spirit to him.”

Blue Star Mothers sent care packages and tried to help with the traveling expenses for Estes’ family to travel to Texas to be with him.

“It’s been a tough one,” said Blue Star Mothers member Debbie Lipscomb. “They’ve been strong for it all.”

Estes had severe shrapnel wounds to his lower legs, his right arm and his face. After many surgeries and two years of physical therapy, he still suffers some loss of vision, hearing and short-term memory. With a special brace, he is able to walk and run.

“When I was discharged, my family decided to move back to Tahlequah to be close to family,” said Estes.

Estes and his wife, Tabitha, and their five children found a home in Tahlequah “on accident,” according to Estes. They called local Realtor Steven Wright, who was able to make the house ready for a quick move-in.

“It’s a beautiful home, but it’s not wheelchair-accessible,” said Estes. “I fall down all the time.”

Helping a Hero got in contact with Estes and his family, and began planning a home to specifically fit their needs. They are expected to move into a new, customized house that will be wheelchair-accessible, with wider doorways, a roll-in shower and roll-under sinks.

Parker Built Homes out of Tulsa agreed to partner with the nonprofit to build the home. Chad Lane, owner of Parker Built Homes, said he had spent many hours with Estes in planning the home, and was glad to be part of the project. They will still be seeking donations of money, supplies and time to complete the project.

Lane told the crowd that just in the short time before the ceremony, two different people had told him they were interested in helping build Estes’ home.

Estes told those gathered for the ceremony he was humbled by their support, and that none of his progress would be possible without that support.

 Tulsa World
Tulsa, Oklahoma
June 12, 2015

Patriot Guard Rider members enjoyed being part of activities and serving as part of the escort for the Oklahoma Honor Flight. It is good duty.

They were able to interact with the 83 World War II and Korean War veterans making the trip to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

They eagerly spent time with them as they assembled at Bixby High School late in the afternoon and evening. They and others proudly held American flags as they stood in line as each veteran was escorted to the auditorium to be singularly honored.

At least a dozen riders turned out at 3:30 a.m., the morning of departure. They, along with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Tulsa Police, served as escorts to Tulsa International Airport. They were also at the airport at 9 p.m. to welcome the weary veteran travelers and their guardians home. It is their way of honoring members of the Greatest Generation and those from the Forgotten War.

Honoring America’s Heroes is the volunteer organization’s purpose, said Morris “Pike Pass” Noftsger, Senior Ridge Captain for northeast Oklahoma.

The retired office manager from the Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Law Firm, said about 1,200 Patriot Guard riders in Oklahoma are part of a national organization comprised of about 400,000 members.

“It’s fun to be involved with the Honor Flight,” he said. “We can talk to the veterans, express our appreciation for their service and exchange stories.”

That opportunity is a sharp contrast to the Patriot Guard’s primary function to serve as a funeral escort to the cemetery and the veteran’s final resting place.

That is a role the guard performs almost daily.

Noftsger said he and fellow guard members had a Sunday and Tuesday off during a recent week. The other days they were on duty.

All are veterans and proudly wear vests reflecting their military branches, rank and theaters where they served.

Service at funerals can go beyond escort duty. They stand silently, at attention, as the deceased is carried to his or her final resting place. There is no banter among ranks, no extending a hand to the family in sympathy.

“We always have a bugle and can play taps to honor the deceased veteran if no one is available,” he said. “We are also trained to fold the flag and present it to the family.

“We are respectful and honor the veteran and the family.”

The Patriot Guard is a voluntary organization, not a club, Noftsger said. No one is charged for the escort duty.

Noftsger retired seven years ago and has two Harley Davidson motorcycles. One, that he still rides, is 10 years old and has 120,000 miles on it, mostly from Patriot Guard duty. One year he rode 35,000 miles to help pay final honor to veterans somewhere in Oklahoma. His wife suggested that he get a new bike because of his involvement with the Patriot Guard.

“We do this because of our love of our fellow veterans and our country,” he said. “We pay our own expenses and gas money can sometimes get expensive, but that is part of our service.”

Transcriber's note: Morris was a 1971 graduate of Grand Valley Community School, Kellerton, Iowa, and a U.S. Army Veteran.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2017