The American Legion Mohawk Post #308

Transcription

1 The American Legion Mohawk Post # East Admiral Place Tulsa, Oklahoma or Fax: Report Date: April 27, 2017 Report on the Mayors Veterans Advisory Council Meeting of 4/20/2017 Moderator, Sandy Oxford of the VA called the meeting to order at 2 PM The first speaker was Congressman Jim Bridenstine. The Congressman spoke highly of this respect for veterans and especially those present at this meeting. He introduced his support staff and pledged to give all possible support to veterans needs in Oklahoma, but certainly in the Tulsa Area. Secondly, all Vietnam Era veterans were assembled at the head of the room. The Veterans Administration facility managers and support folks present from the Muskogee VA, presented all assembled Vietnam Vets with a commemorative pin recognizing their service during this Era. Following the VA presentation, the Blue Star Mothers Association of Broken Arrow presented a Blue Star Mothers challenge coin to the Vietnam vets. Mayor GT Bynam then presented his support personnel. He then noted he was the third Mayor to have the privilege of having this assembly of support services and entities for Tulsa area veterans. He also thanked vets in general and those present for their service to their country. He also pledged to provide all possible help to area vets. The meeting then opened up to the folks and service providers present. Notes: Those providers repeatedly present may not be mentioned in each of these reports. Their availability is no less important by this intentional omission, but unless this is done, this report would be many more pares in length. This would submerge those newly present from being recognized at their presentation. Again, there is no ranking by relative importance or any other reason(s) on the report as follows.

2 Also, the speaker system and those speaking at times came through faintly or somewhat difficult to comprehend. I beg their understanding that I did not voluntarily garble or omit their contributions. (I will put a tape recorder by the speaker next meeting to try to minimize any errors or omissions on my part.) A National Day of Prayer will be held May 4 th in Bartlesville, at The Voice of Martyrs Auditorium. This will be at 6:30 PM at 1815 S.E. Bison, Bartlesville, OK. A contact is Peggy Dau, , pdau@vom.org. The Claremore VA, Post 141, has a brand new RV park at their Post. Pads and hookups are new. Call Larry at for information. Aside: I saw the site and saw all was new. Plus, who would want to mess with any RV right outside the door of the American Legion? Reminder, Memorial Day is May 29 th. USS Batfish will have a Tolling of the Boats, Saturday May13 at 11-12:30. This will be at the Batfish site in Muskogee and is focused by and for those in and associated with the Submarine Service, though all will be welcome. Present were several representing the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus noting two concerts to honor veterans. Saturday November 11 th at 6 PM and 8 PM at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. Contact Dennis Calkins, dlcalkins6@gmail.com or Bill Coberly coberly@utulsa.edu for tickets and information. A Folds of Honor Representative made brief remarks. An Owasso VFW rep noted they also helped/were present at the Tulsa Coffee Bunker. She was also with the Oklahoma Women Veterans group. A representative of Go For Veterans noted a push was on to legislatively create a National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day to increase attention to the much higher male and especially female veterans suicide rates. The Red Cross noted the following numbers are available for veterans and their families to reach them for assistance: for those needing emergency leave; for emergency disaster help, and to participate in giving historians military history stories and experiences. VFW Post 577 noted they have a Service Officer available to help vets with VA and other service related questions, including those in compensation and benefits areas. Phone DAV noted a vets outreach and hiring event will take place May 1th. Also, they will have a May 9 th workshop to help vets with hiring issues, including resume writing, interviewing, and related job hunting issues.

3 Mark Batman, of the Army Reserves covering OK and ER noted he/they were available to help vets with employment issues. (Sorry, I did not hear his contact info.) The Marine Corps Group will be hosting Medal of Honor Ceremonies Friday, April 28 th at 4 PM at the Tulsa International Airport. Further commemorative ceremonies are planned at the VFW Post 577, at 9:30 AM Saturday on 6 th Street west of Peoria. This move is due to the current wet weather. Tulsa has one of the most extensive Medal of Honor yearly ceremonies in the US. Military exhibits will be open at VFW Post 577 opening at 10 AM Sunday.. The Muskogee VA Hospital will hold a military sexual awareness focus to keep folks keenly aware of sexual violations in the services to help minimize such transgressions. The Marine Corps League noted they were seeking to raise funds for a Military A. The first is planned for Tulsa s Veterans Park, with others as funding is available. A draft drawing of this potential creation was circulated. -The Marine Corps League is pleased to announce that it has been joined by the All Veterans Association as a partner on this project. All Vets kicked off funding with a $100 donation. RSU (Rogers State University) again asked for vets to contact them for interviews on their military experiences. Contact their TV station for further information on this project. ( A previous Mayor s Meeting report has all contact info.) Tulsa Tech again noted that a free course of up to 2 ½ years duration is available to vets. Contact Amy Hamilton at for information. A free tech college course of this type should have keen veteran interest. The RAPHA care givers noted their availability to provide expert in home healthcare up to hospice care for vets. Contact Shawna Tieman at for information. Joseph Potter, with Keller Williams noted his availability to help vets and their families with home buying and selling issues. Call The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma noted their administrator is also the President of the Coffee Bunker. Amy Brown of the Mayor s Office commented on their developing a Hidden Heros Program for area vets. This is assembling area vets service firms and having correct contact info for our vets to reach such support. The American Veterans Motorcycle Group noted they will be having the Jenks Riverwalk Program. The Blue Cross Mothers will co-host this event. See previous Reports for further details and contact info on this day.

4 The Family Services group at the Tulsa Air National Guard will have a 70 th Anniversary of the USAF recognition day on September 16 th. A BBQ etc. will be held for folks and families. A Connie Hurt is the contact. The Blue Cross Mothers of Broken Arrow expressed thanks at the community help that came to their aid after a recent break in occurred at their facility. Note: They are co-hosts of the Jenks Riverwalk, Poker Run on June 24 th, the Revival Run, as well as other upcoming events. Check their website as they are VERY busy helping vets and their families. Their office is Poker Run and Riverwalk info: Rochelle Maciha, September 24 Golf Event, Until They All Come Home Coordinator Virginia May, j6may@cox.net. GI Wishes noted they participate with the Oklahoma Women Veterans Group and will be at the Medal Of Honor ceremonies late this week. They also have a 2 ½ year old good heeler dog that needs a home. The Department of Veterans affairs noted they are working to encourage a program of hiring a veteran first program. The VA.GOV website was noted by the VA as a great source for virtually all VA related items and programs, offices and resources. Senator Langford s representative Mike Yates noted upcoming were expansions of the 51 st street dental clinic and the 11 th street clinic, among other items the Senator is focusing on for vets. The Volunteers of America Group noted their continuing availability to help vets get work, through job related classes, resume presentation projects and dressing for success seminars and more , Effective Communications Class for Veterans, May 2 nd. Free, Contact Kevin at if you would like to attend. Reminder, Aspen Dental is having their Vets Appreciation day June 24. A contact number for free services etc. is Oklahoma DHS is available at OKDHS-98 or OKDHSlive.org for information and assistance. American Technologies Group of Owasso, reminded the assembly of their Eagle Ops Group which focuses on assistance to veterans. Try for specific vets info within the firm. The City of Broken Arrow has identified the NW corner of Veterans Park, 1111 S. Main Street for the new VFW facility. Post Commander Ralph Pointer is heading the fund raising group for this new facility.

5 Oklahoma Disability Law Center is a legal service providing free legal services in civil matters throughout the state to people with physical and mental disabilities. Tulsa Office: 2828 East 51 st Street, 302 Interim Plaza, Tulsa, OK. Phone: The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission will hold an Oklahoma Veteran Hiring event on May 18 th. This will be a workshop to help vets and their spouses with resume preparation, job fair guidelines, interviewing skills and dress for success tips. -Location: Tulsa Eastgate Workforce Center, E. 21 st Street, Suite 1030, Tulsa -Date and Time: Tuesday, 9 May, 8:30- to 3:30 PM This workshop is in preparation for the May 18 th Veterans Hiring Event. Contact Tulsa Workforce: call Amie at or Robert at You can register for both of the above at Bring a resume. -Note: The May 18 hiring event will be for military vets only from 10:30 to 12:30, then is open to the public. Reminder: the 5 th Annual Veteran and Wounded Warrior Freedom Boat bass tournament event is still on May 20 for veterans, first responders, Gold Star Dads or Moms for free. Call Ed Napier at for info or or for venders to reserve a table. The All Veterans Association, meets on the first three Thursdays at 9:30 AM at Kirk of the Hills on 61 st Street, just west of Yale Ave. This group is open to ALL veterans. These folks provide free veteran speakers on WWII, Vietnam, Korea, The Chosin Reservoir, Occupation of Paris and many more military topics. A co-founder of the group was Paul Anders, a highly decorated WWII vet who is still very active in school presentations and more. These talks are free to schools and other groups and locations upon request. Phone , or hii@tulsacoxmail.com. The Annual History Golf Tournament will be held May 5 th benefiting the Military History Center and Museum in Broken Arrow. Details: Friday, May 5, at the Battle Creek Golf Club, Tournament begins at 1 PM. For more information, call MHC, Nathan Hale will be holding the 23 rd Annual Military Ball and Awards Ceremony for the JROTC Cadre and Cadets. This will be on Friday, May 5 th at 7 PM at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 3332 S. 79 th E. Ave. Dress: Semi formal /Business. RSVP to magulfmi@tulsaschools.org Alert: There is a scam going around offering a free $50 discount at Lowes. This is a scam and Lowes will not honor this discount.

6 The All Veterans Association will offer a free presentation on The Occupation of Paris, May 8th at the Legend at Tulsa Hills, 701 W. 71 st Street South, Tulsa. (Across from the Tulsa Hills Shopping Center, East of QT.) Reminder: WWII VE day is May 8 th marking the formal Allied acceptance of Nazi Germany s unconditional surrender of its armed forces. The Marine Corps League holds its monthly meeting at VFW Post 577 on the 4 th Saturday of the month. I did not catch when the meeting starts, but am sure the VFW Post could give you that info Prepared By: Craig Treiber, PIO Mohawk Post 308 American Legion Tulsa, OK Comments or observations or to request being added to this report s , may be sent to me at mohawkpost308@gmail.com.