“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. Because of these sacrifices, the dawn of justice and freedom throughout the world slowly casts its gleam across the horizon.” – Harry S. Truman, 33rd U.S. President, 1945

The ultimate sacrifice - a life given for the lives of others.

Throughout the history of the United States, more than a million servicemen and women have died in service to their country.

On Memorial Day, citizens have the opportunity to express their gratitude for those individuals who made the freedoms possible Americans enjoy today.

Originating after the Civil War and known as “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day was instituted as a federal holiday in 1971 to honor the many members of the military who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for the sake of freedom.

In making the commitment to serve, every member of the Armed Forces risks their lives and make incredible sacrifices which affect not only themselves, but their families as well.

Former Kingfisher City Manager Dave Slezickey, who serves as command sergeant major of the National Guard 45th Field Artillery Brigade, shared a little about his 32-year career in the U.S. Armed Forces.

As senior enlisted adviser to the commander, Slezickey is responsible for overseeing training, morale and the welfare of soldiers.

Upon his high school graduation in 1993, Slezickey said he made the decision to enlist in the United States Army and served three years in that capacity before continuing his career with the Army National Guard.

“Both of my grandfathers were in World War II and I valued and appreciated all the freedoms that we have in this country,” Slezickey said.

“I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life, so I thought I would go and see the world.”

Starting his military service at Fort Sill, in Lawton, Slezickey said that is where he’s spent his entire career.

“So, I didn’t make it the whole way around the world, but I did deploy to Iraq (2008 - 2009) and am an Iraqi war veteran,” he said.

That experience, he said, was “a typical deployment” performing security at Camp Ramadi in Iraq.

“There was a great group of people with me and we all made it back home,” he commented.

As the National Guard is also tasked with responding to state disasters and emergencies, Slezickey was additionally deployed to New Orleans in 2005 to assist with crisis response efforts in the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The 45th Field Artillery Brigade includes a rocket battalion and a logistics battalion in Oklahoma and is aligned with units in Illinois, Texas, Missouri and South Carolina.

Speaking about the challenges encountered while serving in the military, Slezickey said it takes a very supportive family as you’re gone for extended periods of time and often on short-notice assignments as well.

Slezickey and his wife, Melissa, who is a counselor and assistant principal at Kingfisher Junior High School, have lived in Kingfi sher since 2012. They have two children - Cash, who is a junior at Oklahoma State University, and Mattie, who is a junior at Kingfisher High School.

Regarding the rewards of military service, Slezickey said one aspect is the strong friendships you develop and bonds between brothers and sisters you serve with, literally knowing that whatever state you stop in, you’ve got a friend somewhere.

“Also you develop an understanding of serving others and that life’s not all about you,” Slezickey added.

Commenting on the skill sets developed, Slezickey said the leadership development skills you gain last for a lifetime.

After serving 10 years as city manager in Kingfisher, Slezickey accepted the same position at The Village in Oklahoma City in 2023.

“Whenever I go for my two weeks with the Guard and leave work, they (his co-workers) function and survive without me,” he said.

“A lot of what I do in the civilian world helps me in the military and a lot of what I do in the military helps in my civilian job.”

With over three decades of service, Slezickey has received many commendations including Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and many others.

In regards to the upcoming Memorial Day service, Slezickey said, “It’s a day to honor those who’ve given their lives in service of the country and, whether you’re military or civilian, it’s a day we all hold in high reverence.”