Brimage is Veteran of the Month

Donald Ray Brimage was born in 1938 in Caddo, Okla., to George and Lucille (Jackson) Brimage. After moving to Amarillo, Texas and attending school there and in Big Springs and Midland, he and his family returned to Durant in 1953, where he completed high school. He lettered in football for three years and track for four years.

Brimage joined the Tank Co., 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division of the Oklahoma National Guard in June 1955 and married Brownie Sue Robertson in 1959. He received the rank of SFC E-6 and was Platoon Sergeant. In 1960, he transferred to the 95th Army Reserve Unit and requested a reduction to SGT E-5 in 1961 for active duty. He was inducted into the US Army February 3, 1961, at Ft. Hood.

Sgt. Brimage received many promotions, attended numerous training sessions and advanced to the rank of Major. He retired on April 30, 1981. During his career, he received The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with numeral 42, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Master Army Aviator Badge, and Expert Pistol Badge. He was the Project Officer in charge of overseeing the funeral planning for President Harry S. Truman.

Maj. Brimage received a Master of Science in Business Management from American Technical University in Killeen, Texas, in 1981.

After retirement, he was a business owner, consultant, funeral director and embalmer. He and his wife of 38 years, Aleyth, have three children, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He engages in many charitable and civic organizations. He enjoys arranging reunions of classmates and military personnel and playing golf.

The Choctaw Nation holds our Veterans in the highest esteem and appreciates the sacrifices and contributions they have made to preserve our freedoms and the way of life we hold dear.