Elaine Dawson Johns

Ms. Elaine Dawson Johns was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, 2 May 1957. She was adopted by an American family and moved to the United States at age 5. She graduated from Hennessy High School in 1975, married, and became a naturalized American citizen.

In 1990, Johns began as a temporary secretary at Enid-based Northwest Aero Services. This company was nicknamed “The Wright Place” and provided flight school and charter services, as well as aircraft maintenance. Johns learned all aspects of the business, was promoted to General Manager, purchased it in 1999, and received the SBA Small Business of the Year award in 2003. After 9/11, she facilitated transporting Murrah Bombing Baptist Crisis Counselors to New York City.

“The Wright Place” was a means for Johns to give back to her community. In October 1999, a “Make a Difference Day” project was born. An original intent was to enhance the airport entrance with two renovated aircraft displays. That evolved by adding local veteran names to two, then four granite stones, and starting a Veterans Park. The Woodring Wall of Honor was born and 1,500 people attended the Memorial Day 2000 dedication.

On Veterans Day 2013, a Vietnam Memorial Wall, an 80% scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C., was dedicated at the Enid airport. It is now Oklahoma’s official Vietnam War Monument as designated by Governor Mary Fallin.

On Memorial Day 2017, Woodring Wall of Honor opened its Museum and Welcome Center. Ms. Johns said recently, “We have much more to accomplish to remember those who sacrificed for today." She established the inaugural Enid Community Chapter of the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation on Memorial Day 2023.

For Ms. Johns’ outstanding support of Veterans and her community, she is awarded the MG Douglas O. Dollar Distinguished Public Service Award.