The Go-Go’s, an all-female pop band from the early ’80s, told us, “Vacation, all I ever wanted.” Apparently, they’ve never met the Miller household circa 2026. Because for the first time in a long time, we don’t really want to go anywhere.
It’s become a popular question: “Any trips planned for this summer?” Our friends are booking beach houses, mountain cabins, and European river cruises. Meanwhile, we’re debating bathroom tile, pergolas, and whether our dachshund, Redford, needs a sibling. What makes this even more ironic is that we’re fully prepared to travel. Alison has developed an impressive credit card points rewards system. It’s less obsessive and more calculated – a kind of gamification of everyday spending. Personal bills, business expenses: everything gets paid with purpose. Points stack, miles build, and in the past, they’ve taken us to some memorable destinations, even upgraded flights and extended stays. The result? We have plenty of travel points, but no destination we’re all that excited about. We’ve thrown around a few ideas. Mackinac Island looks amazing. Utah seems adventurous. Colorado is always fun. New England in the fall, maybe. But nothing has stuck. And maybe that’s the point. Maybe it’s not that we don’t want to go anywhere, it’s that right now, we don’t feel the need to get away. For now, we’ll skip the flights and itineraries. Life at home is full. A little messy, a little unfinished, but full.
Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President
PO Box 3878, Edmond, OK 73083 l 405-341-5599
The Wall That Heals
A Moving Tribute to Vietnam Veterans Arrives at Mitch Park
By Mustafa Kujo
In the United States, veterans and service members are recognized on three separate days during the year. Armed Forces Day, on the third Saturday of May, honors currently serving personnel across all six branches of the military. Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11, honoring all who have served. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and is dedicated to honoring and mourning those who died in service to our country.
Washington, D.C. has over 15 war memorials located throughout the District. One of the most iconic is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, dedicated to the 58,318 men and women who died or are listed as missing in action during the conflict. They are listed in chronological order of death, from the first in 1959 to the last in 1975. In 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the organization authorized by Congress to build The Wall, created a mobile three-quarter-scale replica called “The Wall That Heals” that travels to communities across the country. In 2025, it visited 31 cities.
May 14–17, The Wall That Heals will be in Edmond’s Mitch Park. Alongside the replica, there is a 53 foot long Mobile Education Center, which features a “Wall of Faces,” dedicated to pairing a photo with every name on the wall. There is also a “Hometown Heroes” display that recognizes the service members who listed the visiting town as their home of record. Additionally, an “In Memory Honor Roll” lists local Vietnam veterans who have passed on since returning home from any cause, whether service-related or not.
For Edmond resident and Vietnam veteran Eddie Beesley, The Wall represented a chance to face the demons that plagued his dreams. Four months after his arrival in Vietnam, at age 18, he lost both his legs and many friends in a minefield explosion. “My first time in D.C. was tough. I had to
go back several times because I couldn’t take looking at their names alone.” He would go back often, sometimes in the dead of night, where he’d see other vets sitting alone. “The Wall gave us a chance to decompress together. We didn’t do crowds; the public often looked at us veterans with disdain.”
The Wall That Heals offers many Vietnam veterans who do not or cannot go to D.C. a chance to soften the war’s wounds. Fresh out of flight school, Col. (Ret) Mark Tarpley of Edmond flew numerous close air support missions over Vietnam in the AC-119K gunship. He lost two close friends during the war and visited The Wall. “I served with George MacDonald and John Rucker, both of whom were among the last killed in action. It was important for me to see that they’ll be forever remembered.”
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4938 of Edmond will host The Wall That Heals and has events planned, including a motorcycle parade, Native American ceremonies by the 39 Nations of Oklahoma, and an honoring of Hmong Veterans of Oklahoma, designated by Governor Stitt for May 15. More information is available at vfw4938.org.
The Vietnam War remains complex and often debated, but for many who served, remembrance and recognition continue to carry deep personal meaning. For Edmond resident Col. (Ret) Chuck DeBellevue, one of the last American Flying Aces credited with six air-to-air kills, that meaning is rooted in a sense of duty. Reflecting on his time overseas, he said, “I slept good at night because I knew I was paying back a debt I had incurred by being a citizen of this great country.”
Smoothie King Edmond
By Laura Beam
Not all smoothies are created equal. No one knows this better than Smoothie King, the first smoothie franchise in the U.S. Founded in 1973 in Louisiana by Steve Kuhnau, who began experimenting with blending real fruits, proteins, and nutrients to improve his own health, the concept quickly gained popularity due to its focus on health and nutrition. Since launching its franchise operations in 1989, Smoothie King’s early commitment to fresh, nutritious ingredients has guided its mission from day one. Today, carefully chosen whole, non-GMO fruits and organic veggies, along with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, make Smoothie King blends as nutritious as they are delicious. Even before they were the cool, socially sippable drink they are today, Smoothie King did smoothies right.
That clean, simple mission wasn’t lost on George Kruger. Eleven years ago, he brought the health-forward vision to Edmond, opening Smoothie King on Broadway. “It was our first location, so it has a special place in our hearts,” George reminisces of the family venture that includes his wife, Amanda, and son, Justin. “We hire lots of teens and they’ve become like family. We’re proud to see so many go on to successful careers in various vocations, and they still stay in touch.” Five years ago, George opened his second location at Memorial and Western, and is currently opening a new store at Memorial and Rockwell. Within the next year, he plans to have five total locations, underscoring the continued growth and popularity of the brand.
Customization is King
As awareness of clean ingredients and smart food sourcing–and the effect they have on our health–has exploded in recent years, Smoothie King’s purpose-driven menu has evolved as well. Get Fit Blends feature protein-rich ingredients to help fuel the body or recover faster after exercise. A special smoothie category crafted with GLP-1 users in mind infuses protein and fiber, with zero added sugar. “Most of our smoothies are healthy. Our Fruit Classic smoothies are purposefully blended to help you reward yourself or simply enjoy the day,” George explains. Feel Energized, Get Fit, Manage Weight, and Be Well Blends allow ultimate customization to perfectly suit dietary, health, and wellness goals. Enhancers like collagen, fiber, multivitamins, and protein offer a lineup that truly goes the extra mile to improve strength, support muscle growth and joint health, maximize workouts, and more. Keto-friendly,
Owner George Kruger
fruity, creamy, vegan–the options and combos are countless, making healthy eating a fun, never-boring, lifestyle choice. Even the Kids Blends menu helps little ones learn that nourishing, healthy habits are also fun and flavorful.
All New – Power Eats
True to their Clean Blends promise, which includes a “No-No” List of items like high-fructose corn syrup and trans fats that are never found in their products, Smoothie King’s exciting new Power Eats menu offers nutrition that customers can really sink their teeth into. Delicious Egg & Avocado Signature Toast, Turkey Bacon or Veggie Egg Clouds, Loaded Peanut Butter and Banana Toast, Protein Boxes packed with egg and cheese or peanut butter and fruit treat guests to healthy eating on the go. Dozens of Acai and Pitaya Smoothie Bowl options feature tasty combos of yogurt, granola, berries, seeds, honey, and fruit to satisfy every craving.
Visit any Edmond area location: 1585 S. Broadway, 1001 W. Memorial, or 14020 N. Rockwell. Discover the countless menu options at smoothieking.com.
LAURA BEAM
Account Executive, editor, and writer with experience in radio, newspaper and magazines. Interested in what Outlook can do for your business? Email laura@edmondoutlook.com.
Oklahoma's Next Roadside Attraction
OKC's Route 66 tribute blends neon, nostalgia, and a world record
By Amy Dee Stephens
In May, Oklahoma City will be looking “mighty pretty” with a new Route 66 art piece—and a “world’s tallest” record to boot. A three-story red neon cowboy boot.
Sixty artists worldwide submitted proposals for a permanent sculpture commissioned by Oklahoma City via MAPS4 for the Route 66 Centennial. The requirements were simple: Include musical notes and the phrase “Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty,” as a nod to the 1946 Bobby Troup song made popular by Nat King Cole. The designer who best captured the Okie spirit was Oklahoma City artist Cameron Eagle.
“I grew up on Route 66. My high school was on Route 66. I cruised it. I vacationed on it. My grandad helped build it, and my family farm was divided in half by it,” Eagle said. “Route 66 is deeply ingrained into my life.”
The Boot’s A-Team
Eagle has built large-scale props and one-of-a-kind spaces for museums, restaurants, and attractions. A self-proclaimed “big kid” who draws cartoons and collects neon signs, he adds humor and history to his projects.
Eagle’s boot design reflects his nostalgia for 1950s Las Vegas-style signs. He commissioned fellow neon-sign enthusiast Jim Gleason of G&S Sign Services to fabricate the boot. Gleason, an Edmond resident, is a third-generation sign builder who specializes in custom signs and recently helped Eagle build a Route 66 sign for Luther, OK.
Despite early challenges about the boot’s location, its home will be on the property of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, visible from both Interstate 44 and Route 66.
For a year, Eagle and Gleason have worked together almost seven days a week on the boot, with help from family members and about 35 employees. Gleason’s goal was to engineer the boot to last 100 years
with an interior structure of thick steel covered in aluminum. Instead of neon tubing, LED lighting is tucked behind acrylic to withstand Oklahoma’s weather.
Oklahoma Exclusive
During engineering, Gleason wondered if they were building the world’s tallest boot. “Ours was 35 feet tall, but I found a boot in Texas that is 35 feet, 3 inches. Now…ours is 35 feet, 4 inches tall.”
“What we’re building here is the Oklahoma Statue of Liberty!” Eagle said with a laugh. “It’s so big, it even has its own address: 1866 NE 63rd.”
“The cactus, alone, is 24 feet tall,” Gleason added. “And in case you are wondering, prickly pears are native to Oklahoma.”
The boot’s design has some less-obvious features that are meaningful to Eagle. “The boot’s color is 1966 Ferrari red,” Eagle said. “The top of the boot has a V feature, a visual reference to an Eagle’s wings—a nod to me and my son, Danny Eagle, who’s been a major designer on the boot.”
The boot’s ribbon-cutting and musical performance by Eagle’s daughter, Mallory, is scheduled for late spring 2026. Eagle and Gleason are already working on their next project: a neon sign park at the Oklahoma History Center. Gleason is overseeing the restoration of historic signs, many from their personal collections.
“We feel so fortunate to work on these unique projects that we love,” Gleason said.
“The boot is meant to be fun. To make people smile. Old Route 66 was a road you traveled without having to buy anything. The smiles were free,” Eagle said. “I can’t wait for the next generation of travelers to pull over to see the largest boot in the world! Isn’t that cool?”
To learn more, go to inkranchinc.com.
Cameron Eagle Artist
Aunt Jane: Classified
Andrea Aven follows a trail of letters, archives, and memories to uncover her aunt’s spy career
By Amy Dee Stephens
Andrea Wallis Aven’s family rarely spoke about Aunt Jane. Jane’s work with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and her death in a 1948 plane crash carried an air of mystery. Her role in World War II seemed shrouded in secrecy –unsurprising, given that the OSS was the precursor of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Aven began investigating Jane Wallis Burrell’s life in 2014 after retiring as a school principal in New Jersey and moving to Edmond to marry her college boyfriend, Bill. While teaching undergraduate courses at the University of Central Oklahoma, she found time to flex her genealogical skills. Her search started with a file of Jane’s papers she had inherited. Among them was a 1934 handwritten letter in oldstyle German. “My husband’s eyes bugged out when he saw the signature,” Aven recalled. He said, ‘Do you know what you have?’”
It’s amazing to think of the hands that touched that letter… and rather creepy, too.
The letter was written by Reinhard Heydrich to Heinrich Himmler, chief architects of the Holocaust, who reported directly to Adolf Hitler. Aven tracked down a former OSS member in his nineties to translate it. The letter pledged loyalty and vowed, “to thwart those enemy elements without losing strength.” Himmler’s initials appeared at the top, confirming he had received it. “It’s amazing to think of the hands that touched that letter,” Aven said. “And rather creepy, too.”
Aven immersed herself in WWII history. She visited research centers, interviewed experts, and pursued every Jane-related lead. She ordered Jane’s 80-page OSS personnel file from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and followed up with letters, phone calls, and emails to anyone connected to her aunt. Some of Jane’s elderly colleagues – or their relatives – responded with memories or information.
Jane joined the OSS in 1943 while her husband, David, served as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve. Initially hired as an analyst, she soon advanced to case officer in counterespionage – an unusual and significant role for a woman at that time. Aven describes her aunt as smart, fluent in French, and armed with a wicked sense of humor.
“I told my sisters our family kept Aunt Jane’s life secret because she was a spy,” Aven said. “They were intrigued!”
Aven found evidence that Jane helped arrest a Nazi officer and took part in investigations into money and art stolen from the victims of war. She participated in recovering a cache of Nazi gold, 7,000 coins, and diamond jewelry. As Aven stated, “Pretty cool spy stuff.”
Stationed in Paris, Jane died on January 6, 1948, in a plane crash while on a CIA assignment. She was 36. She was to testify in Brussels about Georg Spitz, a Nazi-affiliated art dealer who was later turned to work for the OSS. The crash occurred on Jane’s return to Paris, making her the first CIA officer to die in service.
Even after a decade of research, Aven is thrilled that new details continue to surface. One of her greatest challenges was proving Jane’s CIA employment. Twice, the agency denied her FOIA requests, invoking the “Glomar Response” – that it could neither confirm nor deny Jane’s status. Undeterred, Aven tried again. “The third time was the charm. I now have her CIA personnel file.”
Today, Aven combs through NARA’s online Monuments Men files for more insight into Jane’s Brussels assignment, stating, “It is my sincere hope to promote her candidacy for a star on the CIA Memorial Wall.”
“It’s been an amazing adventure,” said Aven. In August, she visited CIA Headquarters with her family, where she received updates on Jane’s service. Now, her family eagerly awaits the next chapter of a once-hidden legacy.
To learn more, visit Iron Butterfly podcast at pdscan.fm, keyword Andrea Wallis Aven, and “The Mystery of Jane Wallis Burrell” at cia.gov.
Embracing Motherhood Together
By Taylor Bollinger
Rebekah Harman understands what it means to feel alone during a season that’s meant to be filled with joy. Before her son was born, she experienced multiple miscarriages. When he arrived in 2019, the long-awaited moment quickly shifted into something much heavier. Anxiety took hold first, followed by depression.
“I had so many anxieties," Harman said. “I couldn’t sleep when he slept. I wasn't caring for myself, and it really spiraled.”
By six weeks postpartum, she found herself in crisis. “I had suicidal thoughts, and that was really scary,” she said. After two visits to the ER, Harman was admitted to an inpatient mental health facility. But for a new mom who was breastfeeding, the separation made things worse. “I couldn’t see my son. It didn’t help me,” she said.
What did help came later, when she found support through Postpartum Support International and enrolled in an intensive outpatient program specifically for mothers facing similar struggles. “That was life changing,” she said.
When mothers don’t have support, the weight of motherhood feels heavier than it should.
Years later, that experience became the foundation for Community Motherhood, a space she launched in May 2025 to support moms in every stage, from pregnancy to postpartum and beyond. “I can encourage women by sharing that I’ve been through this too,” Harman said. “There’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
Today, Community Motherhood offers a mix of support groups, social gatherings, and classes designed to meet moms where they are. Some come for help navigating postpartum anxiety. Others come simply to get out of the house and be around people who understand.
There are baby music classes, toddler story times, and low-pressure meetups. There are groups for infertility, miscarriage, and motherhood in all its forms. Even an emptynester book club, led by Harman’s mom, extends that sense of community across generations.
“When mothers don’t have support, the weight of motherhood feels heavier than it should,” Harman said. Community Motherhood has now helped countless women
begin to shift that overwhelming weight.
“My goal is to help moms trade isolation for belonging, overwhelmingness for encouragement and loneliness for true connection,” she said. “We’re embracing motherhood together.”
Harman brings both professional training and lived experience into the organization. She is a certified perinatal mental health provider through Postpartum Support International, a trained birth and postpartum doula with Mama Glow, and a licensed occupational therapy assistant. She has also advocated for maternal health policy through Mom Congress in Washington, D.C.
But what stands out most to the moms who walk through the door is the feeling. “Community Motherhood is such a gem,” one mom shared. “It was so nice not having to come up with something to entertain my kids for once, and getting to connect with other moms was the cherry on top.”
Another mom described the classes as thoughtful and calming. “The Baby & Me music class was amazing,” she said. “It’s not always easy to find meaningful activities to do with your baby, and I truly recommend checking it out.”
For many, it’s the details that make the difference. “Becky thought of everything, including changing tables, fun props, all the little things that make moms feel comfortable and able to relax,” one review read.
And for Harman, those moments matter just as much as the bigger mission. “I’ve taken my darkness and turned it into light,” she said. That light now lives in a space where moms can show up exactly as they are and know they’re not alone. Learn more or join a class at communitymotherhood.com.
Rebekah Harman, Founder of Community Motherhood
Building a Seat at the Table
Oklahoma Women in Technology Turns 10
By Taylor Bollinger
For a decade, Oklahoma Women in Technology has been intentionally reshaping the state's tech landscape. Built by women who once found themselves as the only female voice in the room, the organization now exists to ensure fewer women have to walk that path alone.
Oklahoma Women in Technology (OKWIT) is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting, connecting, and advancing women across all areas of tech. And they truly mean all areas. “When we say tech, we keep it broad,” said President Dajah Brooks. “It includes anyone who is touching a computer for their job. Tech looks vastly different depending on the industry.”
That mindset has shaped a program that feels less like a traditional organization and more like a community. From free networking events to mentorship circles and certification opportunities, OKWIT meets women wherever they are in their careers.
“We promote, advocate, and provide thought leadership for women working in technology,” Brooks said. To include as many women as possible, membership is kept incredibly accessible.
Their free “Friend of OKWIT” tier offers access to events and resources, while paid tiers unlock mentorship, leadership development, and even scholarships. Those scholarships are not limited to recent graduates or OKWIT members. Women pursuing second careers or nontraditional paths are encouraged to apply.
That flexibility is part of what makes the organization stand out. It is also entirely volunteer-run, with members balancing full-time careers while building something meaningful for others.
Brooks knows that balance firsthand. By day, she works as a data scientist for a software company in the transportation industry, a career she has built over the past several years after earning her master’s degree. Outside of work, her time stretches even further. She teaches pole fitness, volunteers as a Big Sister, and leads OKWIT with a focus on visibility and access.
“As an African American woman, there aren’t a lot of us in this space. Seeing someone who looks like you in a room can go a long way,” Brooks said. “Creating more inclusion for others is my passion.”
One of the most impactful pieces of OKWIT’s work is its
Dajah Brooks, President of Oklahoma Women in Technology
focus on connection. Member Heather Adams, who serves as treasurer, described the organization as a turning point in her own journey.
“OKWIT has been a point of inspiration for me,” Adams said. “Women of all ages, races, and different points in their careers coming together to be inspired, mentor or be mentored and learn about new things in STEM has helped me see the impact we as women in this field can have.”
For Thompson Bigheart, OKWIT’s secretary, that connection translated into confidence and growth. “OKWIT has provided me with a strong sense of community and belonging,” Bigheart said. “The networking opportunities and resources available have empowered me to grow both personally and professionally.”
Beyond professional development, OKWIT is also investing in the next generation. The organization hosts free student retreats, including an upcoming event held at UCO, aimed at middle and high school students exploring STEM fields.
To learn more or attend an event, visit okwit.org.
Deckworks Construction
Deckworks Construction has been shaping outdoor living spaces across the region since its founding in 1997, bringing nearly three decades of hands-on expertise to homeowners throughout the Oklahoma City metro. Owner Brent Swift, who has led the company for 28 years, built the business on a foundation of integrity, durability, and thoughtful design, with a clear focus on creating outdoor spaces that feel like a natural extension of the home.
Specializing in decks, pergolas, and complete outdoor living environments, the Deckworks team takes a comprehensive approach to backyard design. Each project is viewed as part of a larger vision, whether it is a custom deck built to withstand the test of time or a shaded pergola retreat designed for comfort and
style. The company also offers paver installations, flagstone patios, and outdoor kitchens, all crafted with precision and attention to detail. Their expertise also extends to lighting to help homeowners highlight key features while adding both ambience and safety.
As industry trends evolve, more homeowners are investing in their outdoor spaces, particularly with the growing popularity of composite decking over traditional wood. Deckworks Construction stays at the forefront by guiding clients through material choices and design possibilities that balance aesthetics, longevity, and function. Brent and the Deckworks team are actively involved in every stage, from consultation to final walkthrough, ensuring each space is both beautiful and built to last.
The company’s impact extends beyond construction through its support of local organizations, including the Norman Music Festival and McKinley Elementary School. This community involvement reflects a long-standing commitment to the area it serves.
Deckworks Construction has also recently introduced a refreshed brand identity, signaling continued growth
while maintaining the same trusted craftsmanship clients have come to expect. Homeowners are invited to visit the showroom during the week or schedule a weekend appointment for added convenience.
To start planning your outdoor space, contact Deckworks Construction. Call 405-957-3776, visit deckworks.com, or email office@deckworks.com. The showroom located at 109 E. Tonhawa St., Norman, OK, is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM or by appointment on weekends.
To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.
Happyland Ranch Meat Co.
Happyland Ranch Meat Co. is a family-driven business built on faith, tradition, and a commitment to providing high-quality, farm-to-table food. Owned and operated by Dennis and Tammy Whitaker alongside their son Derek and his wife Emily, the company reflects a shared vision to bring healthier meat options to Oklahoma communities. The Whitakers first opened D & D Meat Processing in February 2023, offering custom processing and a retail market. By 2025, the facility became USDAinspected, and Happyland Ranch Meat Co. was launched to expand the retail side and strengthen the brand.
At its core, the business offers Oklahoma-raised beef, pork, and lamb, available in individual cuts as well as quarter, half, or whole shares. What sets
the operation apart is its fully integrated approach. From live animal to packaged product, everything remains in the company’s control, ensuring quality and transparency without reliance on middlemen. In addition to fresh meats, customers will find Amish-made jams and salsas, raw local honey, Wisconsin cheeses, spices, and convenient meal kits. Freshly made items like breakfast sausage, beef bacon, and summer sausage are prepared in-house at their processing plant.
The inspiration behind the business grew out of concerns highlighted during the pandemic, when many families began questioning the quality and sourcing of their food. The Whitakers responded by creating a local, trustworthy option rooted in a holistic lifestyle. Their mission extends beyond products, focusing on building relationships where customers feel like part of the community. They also give back by supporting local schools with farm-to-table meat programs, contributing to charitable events, and offering discounts for seniors, military members, and first responders.
Looking ahead, the company continues to grow with plans for online ordering, Instacart availability, and new
product offerings like pre-marinated meats. Visit the store Tuesday-Friday 11AM-7PM or Saturday 10AM-5PM at 3220 S. Boulevard. For more information, call manager Miranda Williams at the store, 405-216-3781, and find them on Facebook at Happyland Ranch Meat Co.
To promote your business with a BIZLOOK feature, contact Laura at laura@edmondoutlook.com.
Warrior's Rest Foundation
A Safe Place for Those Who Serve
By Taylor Bollinger
It was Brett Key’s first day in uniform when the radio crackled. A triple fatality on I-35 in Moore.
“From day one, my eyes were opened very quickly,” Key said. “I could tell you everything about that scene.” He remembers the weather. The wreckage. What he did not understand yet was what those images would cost him over time.
“I tackled a guy stealing cigarettes,” he said. “That was pretty cool.” A ridealong confirmed it. Within a week, his application was in. He would serve more than 26 years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Like many young officers, he focused on the adrenaline and variety of the job. “We aren't the cubicle, scheduledout type of people,” he said. “You go into work and have no idea what’s going to happen that day, and that is a draw.”
Brett Key, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
“I just lost it,” Key said. It was not just one tragedy weighing him down. It was years of scenes and sorrow with nowhere to go.
But what no one told him, because many did not yet know it themselves, was how the weight builds. “The patrol taught me how to drive, fight, and shoot,” he said. “They taught me what I needed to do to go home. But not what to do once I got home.”
It’s okay not to be okay, It’s just not okay to stay that way.
His second son was just hours old when Key received a call that a fellow trooper, Nikky Green, had been shot and killed. Soon after, Key was activated with the SWAT team to help find the suspect.
“I kissed my wife on the forehead, left, and put my uniform on,” he said. “That pushed me to a place I really didn’t know how to handle. It started a series of events I didn’t understand. Someone finally looked at me and said, ‘You gotta get help, Brett.’”
Thankfully, he sought it. “I met with Dr. Kathy Thomas in Stillwater. I sat there with my arms and legs crossed and told her I didn’t know why I was there. But tears started welling up in my eyes, and she looked at me and said, ‘So how is this working out for you?’”
This personal realization led Key and several colleagues to found the Warrior’s Rest Foundation, a nonprofit training first responders to support one another through peer teams. Using the established ICISF curriculum, they equip departments to offer confidential conversations, recognize warning signs, and refer colleagues to clinicians when needed.
“There are times when conversation is enough,” Key said. “A safe place to unload.”
Warrior’s Rest has trained Edmond Police and Fire and focuses heavily on rural agencies that lack the resources for internal peer support programs. The goal is holistic wellness for first responders.
For all involved with the foundation, the mission is personal. Key explained that he wants more than for first responders to make it through their careers alive. “I want them to make it through with their mental and emotional health and their families intact.”
“I always say that it’s okay not to be okay,” he said. “It’s just not okay to stay that way.”
Key is clear that, like most nonprofits, Warrior’s Rest is always short on time, money, and manpower. But what he wants even more than donations is understanding. “I’m a firm believer that God will provide for our material needs,” he said. “What I really want people to understand is what first responders go through.”
If you know a first responder, ask how they are doing and mean it. Give them space to answer honestly. Listen without trying to fix it.
“Most importantly, if you sense something is off, help them take the next step toward support.”
Learn more about Warrior’s Rest Foundation or seek support at warriorsrestfoundation.org.
My Mama and My Mom-in-Law!
By Louise Tucker Jones
May brings a beautiful tribute to mothers and I’m thankful that I had one of the best.
I was also fortunate to have an exceptional mother-in-law. And somewhere along the way, these mothers became friends, even though they barely knew each other before my wedding.
While my “brand-new” husband, Carl, was overseas, I attended and worked at Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, where I finished my degree. On weekends I would visit my parents, often spending one night with my inlaws, who lived in the same town and treated me like their own daughter.
As I look back on that time, I’m so proud of my mother, who never showed an ounce of jealousy when I split my weekend visits between both families. Not once did Mama ever fuss or say, “Well, you could spend a little more time at home.”
In fact, there were times when I needed to spend a few weeks at school because of my job so Mama would often visit Etta Mae, Carl’s mom, not only to get better acquainted but to see how she was feeling.
You see, Etta had severe emphysema from growing up in a coal-mining town and was in and out of the hospital a lot. Mama knew that Etta would never let Carl, her only child, know when she was ill, so my mother would report such news to me — our little secret. If it was serious, I would notify Carl and assure him that I would be checking on his mom and keep him informed. That definitely helped Carl.
It was those little visits my mother made to Etta that initiated a sweet friendship between them. Two mothers’ hearts sharing love for their “newly-wed” kids who were separated by an ocean. They even devised a little fun project by
collecting a full set of Silver Leaf glasses from laundry detergent as an extra wedding gift for Carl and me.
My lifelong desire has always been to be a mother. I’m so thankful that God not only fulfilled that longing with my beautiful children, but gave me two wonderful, Christian role models. My loving Mama and Mom-in-law. Happy Mother's Day!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.
Louise and her Mother
a look back Champions on the Rise
Tom Cravens, Bill Self and Jay Davis celebrate during a 1981 basketball game, capturing a moment of pure energy and camaraderie. Self attended Edmond Memorial High School, where he was named Oklahoma High School Basketball Player of the Year. He went on to play at Oklahoma State before building a coaching career that led him to the University of Kansas, where he has won multiple national championships. Known for his steady leadership and competitive teams, Self remains one of the sport’s most recognizable figures.
