Will Rogers Celebrated in Claremore

On Monday, August 15, a crowd gathered on Will’s Hill to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the plane crash that robbed the world of Will Rogers and Wiley Post. Special guest for the wreath-laying ceremony was Doris “Coke” Meyer, who is the oldest surviving member of the Rogers family; she’s Will’s great-niece and currently resides in Bartlesville.

Emcee for the event was popular Will Rogers interpreter Andy Hogan, who visitors can usually find at the Memorial dressed as the famous cowboy. Gerry Protzman led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Protzman is a Museum Roper (docent), 1955 Tulsa Will Rogers High School graduate and 27-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, retiring as chief master sergeant. Retired Claremore music teacher Linda Pollock sang a lovely rendition of the national anthem to start the event.

A high-flying moment of the ceremony was when Tom Egbert, museum Roper, flew over the grounds in a plane to play tribute to Will Rogers’ dedication to the aviation industry.