Bozho, (Hello)
At our March CPN Veterans Organization meeting, Vice-Chairman Linda Capps presented Clyde “Rowdy” Yates, our CPN Tribal Veterans Representative, with a special award for his service to the tribe’s veterans over the years. Mrs. Capps also introduced David Stallings, Southwest Area manager for Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, and Steve Webb, a veterans’ service representative for Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. They answered many questions that our attending veterans had about benefits and urged each of our members to enroll with the VA, which would put them in the system and allow their individual needs to be addressed.
Getting in the system is the first step.
Steve Webb has an office in the new CPN Workforce & Social Services Building at 1549 Workforce Dr. Shawnee, OK 74801 and will be there every first and third Monday of each month. He also has an office at Workforce Oklahoma on the Gordon Cooper Technology Center campus in Shawnee every Tuesday. If you are a veteran and have needs or questions, go see him. He can be reached by phone at 405-878-3854.
The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration hosted wreath-laying ceremonies the week of April 6 to commemorate the 353,082 World War I Veterans interred in VA sites across the country.
These wreath-laying ceremonies recommitted the promise to memorialize the service and sacrifice of World War I Veterans enshrined in the national cemeteries. The CPN Veterans Organization’s Color Guard attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tecumseh American Legion recently for World War II Medal of Honor recipient Ruben Rivers in late March. Rivers is the only recipient of the nation’s highest military honor from Pottawatomie County. It was a very moving and inspirational event.
Migwetch.
Remember the CPN Veterans Organization meets every month on the fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. (or as soon as you can get there) in the North Reunion Hall on the CPN Potawatomi Powwow Grounds. All CPN and spouse veterans and their families are welcome. A meal is provided.
If I can be of service, please write me at talbotok@sbcglobal.net.