Lt. Governor speaking at anniversary of Will Rogers-Wiley Posts death
Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Will Rogers and Wiley Post history buff, will be in Claremore Friday Aug. 15 for a tribute to Will Rogers. Lt. Gov. Askins will share in placing a wreath at the Rogers family tomb in a 10:30 a.m. ceremony on the grounds of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.
Will Rogers and Wiley Post died in an Alaskan plane crash on that day in 1935. The museum opened Nov. 4, 1938, the 59th anniversary of Will Rogers’ birth.
Doris “Coke” Meyer, Claremore, the oldest living grandniece of Will Rogers, will join the Lieutenant Governor for the wreath laying.
The public is invited to witness the ceremony. A reception will follow in the Memorial Lodge.
Askins, a close friend of the late Clem McSpadden, grandnephew of Will Rogers, will speak. She was speaker for presentation of the Wiley Post Spirit Award to Lt. General Richard Burpee (USAF retired) in an April ceremony at the Oklahoma Heritage Center.
A Duncan native, when she was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2007 Askins started involvement in her third branch of government. She served in the House of Representatives, one term as Democrat House leader. Before that she had been a special judge and deputy general counsel to the governor. She earned a degree in journalism and juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.
As Lieutenant Governor, she serves as State Senate President and on numerous boards and commissions. She chairs the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission.
An advocate for children and for greater efficiency in government, Gov. Brad Henry named her Oklahoma’s Small Business Advocate. As an advocate, she participates in and promotes various economic development projects and supports legislation for opportunity for Oklahomans.
Sunday, Aug. 17, pilots will fly in to Will Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In at the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch. Pilots start landing on the grass strip adjacent to the ranch home about 8:30 a.m.
Will Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In WeekendFriday, Aug. 15
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