Veteran Client Joins Fellow Oklahoma World War II Centenarians

It was an epic moment in time for the ten of us gathered in the home of Dewey Muirhead on a beautiful day in Wewoka, Oklahoma. With 304 years of living and life experiences combined, Choc Charleston – 100 years and rocking it every day!, Dewey Muirhead – 101 years and many more to come!, and Stephen McGilberry – 103 years and loving life! all came together for a day of remembrance, celebration, and love.

The get together took a few weeks to put together, but it was a labor of love bringing together these heroes from the ‘Greatest Generation.’ Their families, friends, caregivers like Susan from Right at Home, and Greg Self, in-home care agency owner of Right at Home Northwest Oklahoma City.

Greg and Susan traveled with Choc to support him and help him join his compatriots.

The three Oklahoma WWII heroes gathered to share their stories on growing up in Oklahoma, the challenges of the great depression, working in Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC) camps, their service in WWII, finding the love of their lives, and marrying them and raising families, working in the oil fields, and the hilarious antics of their youth.

Right at Home Client Choc Charleston

Choc Charleston was born December 24, 1923, on a ranch near Duncan, OK. He is a Choctaw and his heritage permeates his life.

Choc served in the Army during World War II as a tank driver and a member of the Army boxing team. His unit was shipped to France just days after D-Day. They drove the tanks off the landing craft into the water and up the beach; then onward to Paris. "No one should ever have to see the carnage we witnessed in Aachen, Germany. There were bodies everywhere, civilians and animals. It was awful:' Choc fought through the entirety of the Battle of the Bulge, (December 16, 1944-January 16, 1945), it was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II­ an unsuccessful attempt to push the Allies back from reaching Germany.

After his service to our country, Choc continued his education, and began the next phase of his long life of accomplishments. He focused on his family, college, working, and acclimating to civilian life with his beautiful wife Billie.

Just A Few Hours of Fellowship Can Matter!

When asked if he had anything he feels needs to be said that nobody ever does. Choc shared his thoughts.

"I've thought about this a lot. Like here, this fellowship. We haven't known each other but just too few hours but we're friends. You know? (Reaching out to Dewey and Stephen) It's like we've known each other for years and we'll always try to be good to each other and if people would just be nice. Be nice to each other.

It doesn't hurt to say hello. The Choctaw have no word for goodbye. We've got Halito (Hah­ lih-toh). We can say hello, can't we?" He looked warmly at his Choctaw brother Stephen, then Dewey, his brothers in arms, his new friends. Who smiled and nodded in affirmation back.”

Enjoying Life With Right at Home's Support

Specialty Care Dedicated to Veterans

Right at Home Northwest Oklahoma City's Care Team provides veterans in-home care with the highest standards of care and the deepest compassion. You were there for us when we needed you, now let us be there for you. Plan and live your future with the dignity and respect you deserve!

Thank you LaShanya! Portions of this blog’s text and some images were shared Courtesy of Author and Editor-in-Chief LaShanya Nash from her article "Marching Back in Time with Heroes" in CAREGIVER Magazine, Issue 32, April/May 2024. See more about the magazine on the Caregiver Magazine–Oklahoma Facebook page.