Veterans Day is honored all over the nation. Every year at the courthouse here in Hope, a special ceremony is held for all the veterans around the area and a dinner is provided. One Hope resident that will be in attendance for this special day of observance is Osie Lee Wyatt.
Wyatt, 61, was born and raised in Hope, and is proud to have served his country. He married his wife, Brenda, in May, 1964, and they have four children, all of whom have finished college with a degree.
Wyatt was drafted in May 28, 1968. He did his training in Fort Polk, La., and was based at A.I.T in Oakland, Calif., for one week. While Wyatt served for his country, he met several people and had many friends with great experiences. Wyatt is very proud to have fought for his country, and believes military experience is a wonderful opportunity for men and women.
“I’m very proud to serve my country and more proud now. Since service, I connected on disability and want to say to all young men and women it’s a good opportunity to join all arm forces,” said Wyatt.
Wyatt knows how good it was for him to serve for his country, but losing close people to him sometimes is the price you pay.
“I met several close friends during my training, but I also lost several,” said Wyatt.
After two months, he was a 60 MM gunner and stayed in the field for 10 months and 27 days.
Before becoming an veteran, Wyatt graduated from Yerger High School in 1966 and played the drums in the the band. He was 20 years old when he first went into training for the armed forces. Wyatt worked at Jobcorp for six months and lived in Los Angeles, Calif., for one and a half years. He picked up cars at Santa Monica and delivered them. He worked for SADHI as a maintenance man for 23 years and nine month.
He won several awards during his time of duty, including two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and many other medals overseas, as well as campaign medals.
Wyatt feels great about his decision to join the armed forces and doesn’t regret what it has done for him in his life.
“It was a great opportunity to serve the country and, thank God, I returned home safely. By me serving, it has opened a lot of doors. The pay is great now, more then when it was before. The training was very hard in Folk Polk, Louisiana, and it really made a man out of me and as a person,” said Wyatt.
Wyatt’s four children, Temeka, Osie Jr., Letie, and Lequita are from Hope and two of them are married. Osie and Brenda are very proud of their children, and of what they all have accomplished.
Wyatt is a proud member of the Common Hill Baptist Church of Hope where Rev. Benny Jones is the pastor.
Wyatt and his wife always join in the ceremony at the courthouse in honor of the armed forces on Veteran Day. He feels very honored to be known as a veteran when this day is observed and believes the experience was worth every minute.
