Local veteran honors brothers with wall of remembrance

May 29—"It's been a long life," Floyd Wright said as he reflected on the memories of his and his brothers' service to the country.

Each Memorial Day brings a time of respect and remembrance for many who sacrificed their own life to serve the United States of America in the military.

As the fallen soldiers are honored this weekend, there are many veterans who still have many stories to tell of their experience in battle, one being Floyd Wright, who spent several years in the military, along with his four brothers.

While there were many who lost their life serving during the different wars, Wright and his four brothers lived with many stories to tell.

Wright, now 89, and a resident of Ashbrook Village Assisted Living in Duncan, said he is the only brother left in his family of 12 consisting of four brothers and five sisters. Wright still has two sisters, one who resides in Canoe Brook Assisted Living in Duncan and one in Houston, Texas.

Wright said he has a wall of memory — a board of five brothers — to remind him of those times he served and the people he knew.

The recognition of Memorial Day began in 1866 after the American Civil War when people wanted to honor their loved ones who had died in battle.

The day was originally called "Decoration Day" because of citizens who would place flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers.

For Wright, the day holds a special remembrance because of the amount of family ties he has to the service.

Wright said he served in the Navy for four years and he was stationed on the USS Platte AO 24.

During his own time in the service, Wright was with Interior Communications.

"That was my duty," he said. "We worked in the fire control room and watched the war going on."

Wright described his experiences working on the ship, from his duties to transporting important information. He specifically was on an oil tanker.

"That was below the aircraft carrier," he said.

Wright said they furnished oil to ships, aircraft carriers and bombers at sea.

"We fueled them," he said. "We'd go to the different countries and there we would refuel the ship."

Wright remembered when they went to dock the ship in California for repairs and his duty was an Interior Communications Electrician.

"I was trained to work in the engine room," he said. "We had generators down there — generators one and two — and they told me to switch from one generator to the other during the Korean War."

Wright said he spent two years on the ship and his youngest brother also spent two years on the ship.

"I worked my stations," he said. "I was the one to relay any and all messages that come in. I sent out orders from the captain. I think it was 18 times."

Prior to being stationed on the ship, Wright was stationed in Washington and Oregon.

"I was stationed on the tugboat," he said. "They would go out 12 miles."

He talked about his four brothers who also served in the military, from the oldest to the youngest.

Wright said none of his brothers nor himself were injured during the war.

According to Wright, it's rare to see five brothers who have served in the military together.

His youngest brother, Richard, was a deck seaman who served in the Navy with him for two years in the Korean War.

"Their duties were to supply all medication," he said. "Deck hands would assist in the bombers coming in to the Oriskany," although Richard was not stationed on the USS Oriskany.

Wright said Chester, the oldest brother, was drafted into the Army in 1942 and served in World War II.

"There he spent most of the time in Germany," he said. "I think he went to Poland (next)."

His brother, Quinton, served in the Navy for five years in World War II and the Korean War. He was stationed on an aircraft carrier, USS Oriskany.

"It serviced all of bomber jets and helicopters," he said.

Wright said he was able to watch the ship being taken out of service on television.

"They ordered the Oriskany to be taken out of service because the age," he said.

His brother, Don, served in the Army and was stationed in Germany where he served in World War II and the Korean War, according to Wright.

"He carried an M1 gun the whole time he was over there," he said.

Then, Wright talked about his brother-in-law, Eddie Flytko, who also served in the military.

Wright said while his brother-in-law was on a train to Poland, the train crashed.

"It was a train that was carrying prisoners," he said. "He spent several years with a back injury, his back was never in place again. When he finished his career in Lawton, he was discharged."

With his brothers passed on, Wright honors his brothers with his memory wall in his room.

Wright said he's grateful to share about his family's time in the different wars together and pass on the stories.

"It's been a long life," he said.

Wright said he wanted to thank the veterans for all they have done for him while residing at Ashbrook Village Assisted Living.

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