Tagged: Veterans

On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs held its fourth and final meeting studying the state’s seven veterans’ centers.  Sen. Frank Simpson, who requested the study, said he was pleased by the insight gained from veterans, their families, center staff and members of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs as well as the War Veterans Commission and the many others who testified at the meetings.

State Senators resume an interim study reviewing Veterans Affairs, in particular, the quality of care at Oklahoma’s Veterans Centers.

Glenda Davenport is the interim director at the Claremore Center. She says they have a huge problem retaining qualified staff, especially in the low skill areas.  She told senators that low paid staff often have poor work ethics. She says that leads to a frequent turnover of staff.

Yesterday’s meeting was the third for the committee.

The senate review started after media reports of abuse and neglect at some of the Oklahoma Centers.

On today's show, we speak with Thomas Skinner, a US Army veteran who's been battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD) for more than two decades. Over the years, ever since he was honourably discharged from Fort Eustis in Virginia, Skinner has worked as a truck driver, a wildlife photographer, and at a few other jobs.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Three housing agencies in Oklahoma will split $381,311 in Department of Housing and Urban Development funding to supply permanent housing and case management for 90 homeless veterans. HUD officials said Tuesday's award brings to 345 the number of vouchers awarded to Oklahoma.