Republicans turned out Monday night to honor Lew Ward for receiving the highest honor the political party in Oklahoma can present.
Ward, an Enid oilman, was named 2010 Ronald Reagan Award recipient and honored during a reception and dinner in Montgomery Hall at Northern Oklahoma College Enid.
The Ronald Reagan Award is presented every other year, one to a man and one to a woman, in Oklahoma by the Oklahoma Republican Party. It is given to someone who has shown leadership in the Republican Party and who gives of his time and resources.
Ward seemed to be humbled by the award and celebration.
“Wow,” said Ward. “How about that?”
Ward shared some wisdom he acquired by listening to Reagan.
“One of the things Ronald Reagan said that I’ll always remember is, ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction,’” he said. “There was another thing that Reagan said, ‘There are no easy answers but there are simple answers.’ We just must have the courage to do what’s right.”
Ward encouraged members of the Republican Party to continue to stand up for what is right, no matter how uncomfortable doing so may be.
U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin attended the event and shared a few words about Ward.
“It’s especially nice to be here with so many friends to honor a great man in the state of Oklahoma,” she said.
Fallin told those in attendance it was Ward’s similarities to Reagan that made him so deserving of the award.
“(Ronald Reagan) was a man who was able to inspire people,” Fallin said. “He was a man who gave of himself ... He was a visionary. Ronald Reagan always said what he felt ... I know Ronald Reagan spent his lifetime making lives better for our fellow Americans. Lew Ward has demonstrated those same quality characteristics.”
Fallin said Ward has donated time, skill and funding to many causes in Oklahoma, including Denny Price Family YMCA, Enid Public School Foundation, Enid Symphony Orchestra, Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse, National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center.
“Lew exemplifies the high standards of personal integrity,” Fallin said.
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Michael Carnuccio also took the time to thank Ward and share with the crowd some of Ward’s qualities.
“I’ve had the opportunity in several ways to get to know Lew and to learn from his leadership,” he said.
Carnuccio said Ward sets the prime example of true Americanism by working hard and not expecting compensation for his service to the people of the United States.
“Lew Ward is what we should be celebrating in this country,” Carnuccio said, “not stateism and not a health care plan.”
Gary Jones, Oklahoma Republican Party chairman, said Reagan was the example of what conservatism should be.
“Listen to what he had to say, so many words of wisdom,” Jones said. “He was conservative but he wasn’t mad about it.”
Jones said Ward and Reagan share similar qualities.
“(Reagan) respected the office,” Jones said. “He was never in the office without his coat on. Lew Ward is the same ... he’s a gentleman. He’s a great inspiration.”
Artist Amanda LaMunyon presented a speech, song and a work of art for the event. Music was performed by George Davis.