Friday, November 11, 2022
Veterans Day edition Republicans take state senate, Stitt reelected Michael Clark Lankford had a & Luisa Clausen 32% lead over Democrat Rep. Staff Reporter Madison Horn,
Courtesy Les Thomas Sr.
Family comes first Les Thomas Sr. made sure to be there for his kids and wife while serving in the Air Force.
No hype, just commitment for Thomas at home kids?” Thomas asked. The officer answered yes. “Well, I don’t get to see my kid,” Thomas said in response. Thomas told, didn’t Davis Cordova ask, his commanding officer Staff Reporter he was leaving and didn’t care about the consequences. In the confines of “Whatever repercusSheppard Air Force Base, no sions come with leaving, soldier could be gone past so be it, because I’m a man 10 p.m., let alone a whole and I want to see my son,” weekend. But Les Thomas Thomas said. Sr. needed to leave. Thomas left Wichita Thomas walked into Falls, Texas, en-route to his Mechanical Transport Of- his home in Oklahoma City ficer’s office, closed the door shortly after that conversaand asked a question. tion to go see his son. “Do you see your This is just one exam-
ple that Thomas, known as OSU’s ‘hype man’ at football and basketball games, has always thought family over everything — prevalent throughout his 20 years of service in the Air Force and the Oklahoma Air National Guard. Thomas served 18 years as an accountant and two as a chaplain assistant from 1998-2018. He reflected on his time in the military and dedication to his country leading up to the Veterans Day holiday on Friday. “I look at my time in the military as a privilege and an honor to serve our country,” Thomas said.
Thomas worked at local bases such as Tinker Air Force Base and Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, but for many years, he had assignments overseas in countries such as Iraq, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Kuwait, far away from his family. While he was across the globe, FaceTime and Zoom calls weren’t around, but Thomas still found ways to talk to his family. “I love my kids, I’m really close to my kids,” Thomas said. “I wrote to them and spoke to them as much as I could because See Les on 8A
Late into the evening Tuesday, enough votes were counted to confirm Republican control over the Senate seats of Oklahoma. Republican Kevin Stitt beat Democrat Joy Hofmeister in the governor election. Throughout Stitt’s campaign, Republicans said they expected the race to be tight but for the incumbent to win and beat Hofmeister. Stitt secured major victories throughout most of the state. Hofmeister won in the urban areas — Oklahoma County, Cleveland County and Tulsa County. Republican Rep. James
with nearly 400,000 votes between the two senator candidates. The case remained the same for Republican Rep. Markwayne Mullin, who had a 26.6% lead over Democrat Rep. Kendra Horn and a 300,000 vote gap. “It’s time to get to work,” Lankford said at the GOP watch party Tuesday. “From me and my wife, Cindy, from our whole family, we want to say thank you to all of you for your engagement and your passion for the issues. It’s not about us. We understand that full well.”
See Stitt on 5A
OSU kicks off Hunger Awareness Week Kennedy Thomason Staff Reporter
understand the perspective of someone facing food insecurity. Students will be provided a budget and will have to plan meals within the provided constraints. Hunger Awareness Week is here. On Wednesday, a SNAP Q&A Leadership and Campus Life will occur via Instagram on the @osuwill hold events throughout the week campuslife story. SNAP (Supplemental to familiarize OSU students with the Nutrition Assistance Program) is a issue at hand. program run by the U.S. Department On Monday, the basic needs of Agriculture. A SNAP representative fair will be held in the Plaza Amphiwill answer all questions about bentheatre of the Student Union from 11 efits and how to use the program. a.m. to 1 p.m. The fair will feature All of these events are in place organizations on campus and from to address the serious issue of hunger the Stillwater community that provide that Oklahomans face. resources to OSU students in need. “Twenty-five percent of OklahoSome resources that will be shared mans receive benefits from the Suppleinclude those for housing, health and mental Nutrition Assistance Program,” food insecurity. according to OSU Extension. A hunger simulation will happen This percentage of Oklahomans in the Sequoyah Room of the Student that receive benefits from SNAP indiUnion on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.cate the severity of the situation. 12:30 p.m. This simulation, hosted by Hunger and Homelessness Pete’s Pantry, will allow students to Awareness Week is a national event.
The National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness sponsor the week. This campaign brings national awareness to the issue, but OSU’s Hunger Awareness Week focuses on the student body. The resources that this event highlights allows students to be successful. “Oklahoma is one of the hungriest states in the nation. One in six (17%) Oklahoman adults and seniors are food insecure, and 1 in 4 (25%) Oklahoma children are food insecure,” according to OSU Extension. This demonstrates a need for the resources that Hunger Awareness Week shares. For more information regarding Hunger Awareness Week, what you can do to donate and events taking place, please visit lcl.okstate.edu. news.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy of Tulsa World Govenor Kevin Stitt won re-election on Tuesday night, earning 55.5% of the vote.