The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) hosted a successful Open House and VetFest event on September 3rd to promote admissions to the Sallisaw Veterans Home. “We need the veteran community and their families to raise awareness about the Sallisaw Veterans Home, a flagship facility and hidden gem in a beautiful area of our state,” said James Bynum, Executive Director of ODVA.
Eagle Ops, along with other community stakeholders, held a special claims clinic onsite to assist veterans in accessing the care and benefits during the open house.
“Partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and the VA to help bring events like VetFest to communities across Oklahoma just makes sense for Eagle OPS. Our mission is about connecting relationships and resources to bring our heroes home, and this is exactly what that looks like in action. When we can help raise awareness, bring veterans through the door and connect them with the benefits and resources they’ve earned, everybody wins,” said Johnathon “Shep” Shepherd, Executive Director, Eagle OPS Foundation.
The event provided veterans with an opportunity to connect, tour the new facility, and meet with elected officials and ODVA staff. Senators Tom Woods and Warren Hamilton, along with Representatives Rick West, Melissa Provenzano, and Derrick Hildebrandt, attended to show their support for Oklahoma’s veteran community.
“When veterans get connected to the VA, their benefits and other trusted resources, it also opens the door to the many opportunities for social connection and community that exist across our state. From Eagle OPS Rally Points to events and programs hosted by other veteran-serving organizations, there are so many ways for Oklahoma veterans to get connected and stay connected,” said Shepherd.
In June, ODVA announced that Sallisaw Veterans Home was fully staffed, marking a significant milestone in expanding veteran care capacity across Oklahoma. To celebrate this achievement, ODVA initiated a statewide effort to admit sixty veterans within sixty days. Filling the long-term care beds within the Oklahoma Veterans Home System is vital to demonstrating ODVA’s commitment to supporting the needs of veterans.
“This facility serves as a valuable resource for veterans in Oklahoma, yet we also welcome residents from any state,” Bynum added. The home boasts unique amenities and is conveniently located near Muskogee, Tulsa, Fort Smith, Rogers, and Joplin.
ODVA is committed to improving the lives of veterans and their families at the Sallisaw Veterans Home in eastern Oklahoma. This modern facility spans 201,000 square feet on a 40.8-acre campus, offering 175 beds and employing approximately 275 staff members. The home features nine courtyards for therapy, relaxation, and dining, providing a safe environment that promotes wellness. Each veteran is provided with a spacious private room, a significant advantage over smaller veteran homes. Recently approved for admissions after passing its VA survey in April 2026, the home offers robust clinical services, and an excellent safety record.
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