Local

Bill Oates of Old Union was officially retired from over 44 years of government service at a ceremony at Ft. Hood on Friday, 1 October. Bill served with the Army as a Scout/Attack helicopter instructor pilot, test pilot, and Government Flight Representative for the area from the Mississippi River to Eastern Asia for both combat and peacetime operations. His awards include Saudi Defense, Kuwait Liberation, ARCOMs, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and multiple Broken Wing awards.