Oklahoma's First Female ANG Commander To Celebrate 70th Birthday

An Edmond woman who was once a small-town  elementary school teacher, then rose to become the first female commander of Oklahoma’s Air National Guard celebrates her 70th birthday Sunday. 

Rita Aragon says she joined the Air Guard in 1979, as a way to make ends meet after her husband died. Aragon would go on to hold five Commands in the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

Honoring America’s Warriors at 101 Cornell Parkway will host a birthday party-fundraiser for Aragon from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Aragon is President of the Board of the Organization that was founded four years ago.

“The families of the people that we help render honors for are speechless,” Aragon said from her Edmond home Monday. “They are so touched that their family members are getting the final rites they have earned and deserved.”  

Anyone who cannot attend Sunday’s event, but would like to contribute to Honoring America’s Warriors, can donate here.