Historic Gathering Of Military Generals at Rose State College Published December 22, 2015

Eight generals past and present graced the stage of Rose State College to receive awards for their service to our country and to honor the relationship with Rose State.

Dr. Jeanie Webb, President of Rose State made the presentation to each during the annual Regents’ Christmas Dinner.

Those honored include:

• Lieutenant General Lee K. Levy II, Commander, Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base.
  Levy ensures the Center, which is housed across from Rose State College, provides operational planning
  and execution for the maintenance of a wide range of aircraft, engine, missiles, and component items in support of the U.S. Air Force missions.>
• Lieutenant General Bruce Litchfield, United States Air Force Retired, Tinker Air Force Base.
  Litchfield retired from the U.S. Air Force on August 1, 2015 as the Commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center.
• Major General Myles Deering, United States Army National Guard Retired, and Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
  Deering retired from the Army National Guard on January 31, 2015 as the Adjutant General of the Oklahoma National Guard. He was recently appointed by Governor Fallin to serve as the Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
• Major General William “Billy” Bowden, United States Air Force Retired.
  Bowden retired from the U.S. Air Force on September 1, 1989 as the Commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center. He is actively engaged in serving the Oklahoma community and the Rose State College Foundation as a Former Regent.
• Major General Rita Aragon, United States Air National Guard Retired, and Governor’s Liaison for Veterans Affairs.
  Aragon retired from the United States Air National Guard as the assistant to the deputy chief of staff Manpower and Personnel at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Aragon served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs.
• Major General P. David Gillett Jr., United States Air Force Retired.
  Gillett retired from the U.S. Air Force on January 1, 2012 as the Commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center.
• Brigadier General Richard Hefton, United State Air Force Retired.
  Hefton retired in March 1990 from the United States Air Force as the Commanding General, Oklahoma Air National Guard. He is an active member in the community and currently serves on Rose State College’s Board of Regents.
• Brigadier General Ben T. Robison, United States Air Force Retired.
  Robison retired on November 1, 2002 as the Commander of the 552^nd Air Control Wing. Robison is active in the aerospace industry in Oklahoma as well as education.

“Rose State College is proud to have one of the finest air force installations in the United States just right across the street and the unwavering dedication of our National Guard,” said Dr. Jeanie Webb during her remarks. “These are the men and women who are protecting the United States of America, the State of Oklahoma, and protecting our freedom.  The college shares a special relationship with each of them. To them we say thank you.”

Each general received a specially commissioned replica of the historic Rose State tower fitted with a college military challenge coin. The awards were designed and created in the Rose State FabLab.

Pictured from left to right:  Lieutenant General Lee K. Levy II, Linda Litchfield (accepting on behalf of Lieutenant General Bruce Litchfield, Ret.),  Major General Myles Deering, United States Army National Guard Retired and Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Major General William “Billy” Bowden, United States Air Force Retired, Major General Rita Aragon, United States Air National Guard Retired and Governor’s Liaison for Veterans Affairs, Major General P. David Gillett Jr, United States Air Force Retired, Brigadier General Richard Hefton, United States Air Force Retired, Brigadier General Ben T. Robison, United States Air Force Retired.