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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

NEWS | March 7, 2024

Oklahoma Guardsman receives Star of Valor for heroic actions

By Cpl. Danielle Rayon, Oklahoma National Guard

MUSKOGEE, Okla. – Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier Spc. Alexander Weimer was awarded the Oklahoma Star of Valor in a ceremony held at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, March 3, 2024.

Weimer earned the award for his courageous actions at the scene of a head-on collision on April 21, 2023 that claimed the life of one motorist and left several others injured and trapped in their vehicles.

Spc. Alexander Weimer, assigned to Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, speaks with Col. Andrew Ballenger, commander of the 45th IBCT at his Oklahoma Star of Valor Ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, March 3, 2024. Weimer was recognized for his bravery and compassion while assisting civilians involved in a vehicular collision while on his way to drill. (Oklahoma Army National Guard by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)
SLIDESHOW | images | 240303-A-IN656-3006 Spc. Alexander Weimer, assigned to Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, speaks with Col. Andrew Ballenger, commander of the 45th IBCT at his Oklahoma Star of Valor Ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, March 3, 2024. Weimer was recognized for his bravery and compassion while assisting civilians involved in a vehicular collision while on his way to drill. (Oklahoma Army National Guard by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)
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Spc. Alexander Weimer, assigned to Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, poses at his Oklahoma Star of Valor Ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, March 3, 2024. Weimer was recognized for his bravery and compassion while assisting civilians involved in a vehicular collision while on his way to drill. (Oklahoma Army National Guard by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)
SLIDESHOW | images | 240303-A-IN656-3347 Spc. Alexander Weimer, assigned to Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, poses at his Oklahoma Star of Valor Ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, March 3, 2024. Weimer was recognized for his bravery and compassion while assisting civilians involved in a vehicular collision while on his way to drill. (Oklahoma Army National Guard by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)


“There was a pretty severe accident,” said Capt. Travis Wilsey, commander of Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “He came upon it and just reacted as every Soldier should. It was an amazing story.”

Weimer was on his way to military duty when he encountered the two vehicles that had collided head-on and immediately stopped to assist.

Taking charge at the scene, Weimer directed a bystander to dial emergency serves and began assessing a trapped driver before removing the driver from the damaged vehicle.

Finding the passenger unresponsive, Weimer moved to the second vehicle, where he again pulled a trapped driver from a rolled over van.

Weimer continued to put his military skills to use as first responders arrived at the scene. He assisted pulling a passenger from the rolled van and helped calm disoriented and distraught survivors of the accident.

Once emergency services arrived, Weimer stayed to assist with removing the passenger of the second vehicle, as well as helping keep a survivor calm. He remained on the scene until all individuals involved were taken to the hospital to receive care, then proceeded to his military training.

“It’s just a different side of serving the state and community and how important it is,” Weimer said about his swift response to the incident.

According to Wilsey, Weimer’s actions exemplify the values of the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Citizen-Soldiers: leadership, courage and selfless service. Guardsmen serve not only the nation, but the friends and neighbors in their communities.

“Spc. Weimer is an exemplary Soldier,” said Wilsey. “He’s always motivated, always willing to help out and obviously has great selfless service. He’s a Soldier you can rely on in any situation.”
Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert
Thunderbird Challenge Program teaches cadets no obstacle too big to overcome
Oklahoma National Guard
Oct. 25, 2024 | 1:23
The Thunderbird Challenge Program is a 22-week tuition-free military program for Oklahoma students in need of school credit recovery. The program uses the structure and discipline of the military to support cadets while they attend high school classes, GED classes as well as learn job skills and life coping skills.

While at Camp Gruber Training Center, Thunderbird cadets took on the same obstacle course that Soldiers taking part in Air Assault School, best warrior competitions and pre-mobilization training face.

The cadets also faced off with one another in pugil stick bouts supervised by TCP cadre, and some cadets had the opportunity to rappel from CGTC’s 40-foot rappel tower. (Oklahoma National Guard video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

CG:
00:15:08
Traci Johnson
Commandant of Cadets, Thunderbird Challenge Program

00:34:27
Marissa Treat
Thunderbird Challenge Program Cadet
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