State Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, recognized El Reno’s Ralph Oltermann as the Veteran of the week Monday, March 1 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Oltermann served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, earning the rank of E2. He received an honorable discharge after being injured during the war, and he later suffered cancer of his larynx from exposure to Agent Orange.
“Mr. Oltermann’s sacrifice on behalf of our nation is greatly appreciated,” Baker said. “He not only served at great personal cost, but he continues to serve his home community of El Reno to this day. While we can never truly repay him for all he’s done, we do have the joy of thanking him and recognizing him with this honor.”
Oltermann assists each year in the El Reno Veterans Parade and Program and is active in the El Reno VFW and DFW. He also is in charge of the Heroes’ Plaza in El Reno. He was honored as the El Reno Veteran of the Year in 2017.
On Monday, Rep. Baker presented Oltermann with a citation on the House floor and a flag that was flown over the state Capitol in his honor.
