Ardmore honors veterans in annual ceremony

ARDMORE, Okla. (KXII) - A ceremony at the veterans home in Ardmore drew a crowd of all ages on a day to honor everyone who served the nation.

In attendance were veterans, residents and leaders from all over Oklahoma, including students from Plainview High School.

Randy Growall served in the Army for 35 years. He is now a coach at PHS and says students are brought to the ceremony every year.

“That’s really what it’s all about is making sure the next generation can change the way some of the people view this country right now,” Growall said.

Growall said his students never fail to appreciate his service.

“This little girl, first thing this morning brought me a handwritten note. She’s actually not from America, she came here from Africa and she’s so proud to be here,” Growall said.

During the ceremony, students read poetry in tribute to veterans’ sacrifices.

Asa Rudisill, a senior at Plainview High School, said him reading at the ceremony is personal. His grandfather served in the Navy as a cook.

“Maybe sacrificing my comfort a little bit, though that’s astronomically different than somebody sacrificing their life, it’s still a little something I can do to return it to them,” Rudisill said.

Rudisill said his grandfather’s time away from family was a sacrifice on its own. He said it pushes him to remember every veteran.

“I’m 17. If someone can go when they’re 17 to go fight in a war and go fight for me and go fight for my family, I can go walk up and give a short speech,” Rudisill said.