The Seminole Chamber of Commerce recognized Carl Odom as their 2022 Citizen of the Year during their Annual Banquet Tuesday night. Carl’s many obligations include Commander of Seminole American Legion Post 204, a full-time responsibility he takes most seriously. (He is a former District Commander).

“I believe the Citizen of the Year Committee made an outstanding choice in Carl Odom,” Seminole Chamber CEO Amy Britt comments. “He is directly involved in every aspect of Seminole. He represents the Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion, the schools, the Downtown District, the City of Seminole, and his church with the utmost respect and involvement possible. He also encourages others to do the same, along with him.”

Carl, an easy-going gentleman, can often be found making his rounds in the downtown area of Seminole, checking in on the local businesses or “holding court” at Boomarang Diner. Carl enjoys meeting people, and can easily strike up a conversation with strangers, especially if they have a cap, tee-shirt, or other item identifying themselves as a veteran.

If you look closer, you will see Carl is also deeply committed to his community.

Carl serves on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Lion’s Club, among many other hats he wears. As he makes his rounds of local businesses, he is genuinely interested in learning about their concerns and how the Chamber might be able to assist them.

When he meets a new veteran, he will invite them to visit the next American Legion meeting and explain some of the benefits that are available to veterans. This is one way he has grown Post membership from approximately 60 members when he first became Commander to over 100 current members, even as many Posts struggle to simply sustain their membership.

As a Commander, he is eager to help any veteran take advantage of the benefits they earned and deserve. While “hanging out” at the diner he will frequently be helping a veteran fill out paperwork necessary to receiving these benefits.

In 2018 the Adjutant General of Oklahoma awarded Carl the Oklahoma Thunderbird Medal. This metal is presented to a civilian for their dedication and commitment to supporting the Oklahoma National Guard, and Carl was recognized for all the veterans and guardsmen he has helped over the years.

Carl frequently speaks to student groups at area schools. He will focus on the importance of patriotism to younger students and share stories about his military experience with older students. He proudly raises the flag at all Seminole High School home football games.

He recently revived the Seminole Veteran’s Day Parade. He was also instrumental in establishing Seminole as a “Purple Heart City,” which honors military personnel wounded or killed in combat and is named after the medal that is presented to these greatly respected heroes of the armed forces.

Carl also organizes an annual Flag Retirement Ceremony, which respectfully disposes of American flags that have been torn, discolored, or are otherwise no longer serviceable. Many surrounding communities takes advantage of this ceremony.

Carl is an advisor on veteran’s affairs to U.S. Representative Stephanie Bice, sharing some of the issues he encounters in his work with veterans.

This is but a small example of the many ways Carl contributes to the community.

Carl was a U.S. Marine during the Viet Nam war. In 1975 he was one of the marines assigned to hold the perimeter of the Embassy as the North Viet Nam army was advancing in that direction.

During the 60 days Carl was there, more than 50,000 people, mostly South Vietnamese that had supported the United States, were evacuated from the country, mostly from the airport. However, in the final days the sea lanes were blocked, and planes couldn’t land in Saigon, leaving only one option: a helicopter airlift.

Almost 8,000 people were evacuated from the roof of the American embassy building in Saigon during the final chaotic hours as the North Vietnamese army was marching into the city. Carl was on the next to last helicopter to leave from the embassy roof on the morning of April 30, 1975, with the full time Embassy marines, by tradition, occupying the very last copter. The North Vietnamese tanks rolling through the gate of the Presidential Palace in Saigon that day was considered the effective end of the Vietnam war.

But it wasn’t. Two weeks later, on the afternoon of May 12, 1975, the U.S. container ship SS Mayaguez was boarded and captured off the coast of Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge, a brutal Cambodian regime, taking the 39-man crew hostage and creating an international incident.

President Ford ordered a rescue mission to be mounted immediately, and Carl’s Battalion was flown to Thailand to prepare for that mission. This mission turned out to be a disaster, made even worse when it was later learned that the Khmer Rouge had already released the crew of the Mayaguez.

After leaving Saigon, Carl was flown to the USS Midway aircraft carrier, and eventually transported to Okinawa.

Landing on the island where it was believed the hostages were held was brutal. After the soldiers had evacuated and began taking stock, they realized 41soldiers had been killed (including Carl’s roommate), 15 were wounded, and 3 were missing in action. These were the final hero’s names added to the Viet Nam Memorial Wall.

The Chamber’s recognition is a reminder of how fortunate Seminole is to have such a dedicated citizen looking out for their interest. Carl’s continuing service to the community is greatly appreciated by all.

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