Thomas Earhart

Article and photos by Ethan Nahté

The VFW and VFW Auxiliary paid tribute to Sgt. Thomas Earhart on Sunday, Feb. 19. Earhart, who turned 100 in October 2022, and 60 others had a steak dinner and cake, honoring his birthday and his military service in the Army Air Corps, Dec. 1943-Dec. 1945.

Earhart was given a handmade wooden plaque created by James Scott, another plaque presented by VFW District 9 Commander Ron Cloud, and an original Quilt of Valor created by Johnston’s Quilt of Valor out of Benton.

A second quilt was presented to retired USAF Senior Master Sgt. Linda Johnson. Earhart seemed pleased as he celebrated with his family and friends.

(More photos will appear in a Pulse Facebook album.)

Article and photos by Ethan Nahté

Stephen Moody, welding instructor for UA Rich Mountain and a group of UARM co-ed students hosted female students from some of the local school districts on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the classroom located at the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport.

Moody said, “We had three dif ferent groups of young ladies. They’re here to try out welding. We’ve made a little deal for them to weld on they can take home with them and say, ‘This is my first weld.’”

WELSCO, Inc. is the largest industrial gas and welding supply distrib utor in the U.S. that is woman-owned. Welder Makayla Hernandez and Tag Green, a process specialist and certified welding inspector (CWI) were in attendance representing WELSCO. Hernandez came to speak to the girls about welding and what it has done for her life. They showed some welding examples, as well.

Airgas, another company that supplies gases, welding and industrial equipment, contributed stick welding gloves to fit females, 60 pairs of safety glasses and 5-pounds of stain less welding wire. An Airgas representa tive was unavailable to be in attendance.

The students were given stainless-steel pieces and welded them at a 90-degree angle. When finished, it’s a heavy-duty phone stand that allows the charging cord fit through a hole.

Kristen Dobbs, a student at Oden High School, tried welding for the first time. “It was good.” Unlike a few of the students, Dobbs said she wasn’t really intimidated about giving welding a shot. Once she discovered what she was mak ing, she smiled and responded, “That’s cool. I could really use that.” Dobbs said she liked it enough she might consider taking courses in welding, adding that she believed her dad used to do welding.

Moody said, “We want something