Hall of Heroes honors local veterans

Sheppard Hall of Heroes Honoree Retired Col. Rita Vokes, thanks attendees during her display unveiling at base Heritage Center at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, May 21, 2010. Three former Airmen were honored at the ceremony for their service which spanned conflicts from World War II to Desert Storm. (U.S. Air Force photo/Harry Tonemah)

Hall of Heroes honors local veterans

82nd Training Wing Commander Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon presents a Sheppard photo memento plaque to Mrs. Theresa Teague, widow of the late Sheppard Hall of Heroes Honoree Senior Master Sgt. Thurman Teague, during the Sheppard Hall of Heroes ceremony at the Heritage Center at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, May 21, 2010. Three Airmen were honored at the ceremony for their service which spanned conflicts from World War II to Desert Storm. (U.S. Air Force photo/Harry Tonemah)

Hall of Heroes honors local veterans

82nd Training Wing Commander Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon presents a Sheppard photo memento plaque to retired Maj. Wayne Kuschel, a Sheppard Hall of Heroes honoree, during the Sheppard Hall of Heroes ceremony at the Heritage Center at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, May 21, 2010. Three Airmen were honored at the ceremony for their service which spanned conflicts from World War II to Desert Storm. (U.S. Air Force photo/Harry Tonemah)

Hall of Heroes honors local veterans

Published May 21, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- In tribute to Armed Forces Day, three local veterans were honored during the Hall of Heroes ceremony with a display unveiling at the base Heritage Center May 21.

Individuals recognized included: retired Col. Rita Vokes, retired Maj. Wayne Kuschel and the late Senior Master Sgt. Thurman Teague.

Installation Commander Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, unveiled each display, with memorabilia from their military career, a portrait and a full-sized mannequin wearing their uniform at the ceremony.

Mrs. Theresa Teague, widow of Sergeant Teague, said the unveiling brought tears to her eyes.

"When I saw the display, my eyes teared up," she said. "I thought to myself 'if only he were here to enjoy this.' I didn't deserve this, he did. My husband was a very good military man."

Colonel Vokes said she was very humbled by her display.

"I wore the uniform proudly for 27 years," she said. "I wanted to be able to share that and have it be a part of the Sheppard Heritage Center for others to see. I am extremely honored."

Major Kuschel said he never expected anything as outstanding as a display in the Heritage Center.

"This is a great honor and it's truly special," he said. "I don't think anyone had a career better than I had. I never thought I would achieve this."

During the ceremony, General Mannon thanked the guests and their families.

"It's an honor recognize these three individuals for their service and to have their families be here to see it," he said. "It's hard to put into words what this means to us."

The general said without the heroes of the past, the Air Force would not be where it is today.

"When you're younger, you focus on the here and now, not those who served ahead of us," he said. "As we grow, we begin to understand how the Air Force got to where we are now, because of heroes just like this."

General Mannon thanked the two veterans and Mrs. Teague by presenting them each with a Sheppard memento plaque.