For Mary Thompson, turning 99 “ain’t nothing but a thang.”

This Roland resident, who just celebrated her 99th birthday, says she is determined to make it past the 100-year mark to become a centenarian and insists that people her age still have a lot to give to the community.

Thompson says her life has been one of service—to her God, family and community. She insists that service is more than a calling; it’s a way of life.

“Helping others is at the root of who I am,” she says. “It’s something I learned from my parents and something I hope I have passed on to my grandchildren.”

At 99-yearsold, she continues to be an active and cherished member of her community and has become known as the “Veteran Lady.”

Over the course of her nearly centurylong life, Thompson has witnessed significant historical events and transformations. She remembers the days before electricity and modern conveniences reached their rural community.

“I remember when we got our first radio,” she says. “It was a big deal. We all gathered around to listen, and it brought the outside world into our little mountain home.”

Thompson also lived through World War II, where she saw her older brothers and family go off to fight. Her brother, John, served in the war, and the letters they ex- changed show not only the angst of families at home but also the brutality of war itself.

“It was a dreadful time,” she says. “We didn’t know if my brother was alive or dead, and we had to ration food and just about everything.”

Thompson wanted to join the Army herself, but women of that time were barred from entering service. It was not until 1948 that the Army allowed women to serve. Still, she maintained a close tie to the military as she married her husband, George, a veteran, in 1946.

Thompson says she has had a wonderful life and enjoyed living with her husband wherever he was stationed.

“We lived just about everywhere. A few different states, but we always came home to Oklahoma,” she says.

Thompson jokingly says that her life was “pretty uneventful” until her husband’s service ended in 1950, and they settled in Roland after she had her son, Robert, and daughter, Wanda.

But the uneventful times would hit hard when she lost her son, Robert, in the Vietnam War. This tragedy deeply impacted her and fueled her dedication to supporting military families and veterans.

“Losing Robert was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced,” she says. “But I knew I had to do something to honor his memory.”

In response, she became very active in the USO and other organizations that support the military. For decades, she dedicated countless hours to volunteering, providing comfort and assistance to service members and their families.

“It gave me a sense of purpose,” she reflects. “I wanted to make sure no one felt alone or forgotten.”

Throughout her life, she has been involved in various community activities and initiatives. One of her passions has been supporting the Roland City Park, which features the Roland Veterans Memorial containing the names of the Roland veterans who have served our country.

Although she did not establish the park, she has been a steadfast supporter and volunteer.

“I love spending time in the park,” she says. “It’s a peaceful place where you can really feel the spirit of the community.”

Up until 2011, she helped with planting, weeding and maintaining the park.

Her journey has not been without its challenges. Balancing her career, community work, and family life has often been difficult.

“There were times when I felt overwhelmed,” she admits. “But the support of my family and the gratitude of the people I help kept me going.”

Her husband, George, and daughter, Wanda, have been her biggest supporters.

“They understand why I do what I do, and they’re always there to cheer me on,” she says.

At 99, Thompson’s ability to care for herself and remain active in her community is truly inspiring.

“Age is just a number,” she says. “As long as you have a purpose and the will to keep going, you can achieve anything.”

Thompson still attends church meetings, helps out at local events, and is always ready to lend a hand to her neighbors. One such neighbor remarked that she “seems to just keep going and going… never letting anything slow her down.”

As she looks to the future, she is filled with hope and determination.

“There’s still so much work to be done for our veterans,” she says. “But I believe in the power of community. When people come together with a common goal, amazing things can happen.”

She hopes to see an addition to the Roland City Park to include more veteran names and encourage younger generations to get involved and carry on the tradition of service.

“As long as I can still shuffle around, I will be doing what I can for whoever needs help,” she concluded.