SAN DIEGO – Lt. J. G. Sofia Figueroa, a native of Choctaw, Oklahoma, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM-41 Seahawks).
Figueroa graduated from Bishop McGuiness Catholic High School in 2016.

Figueroa joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Figueroa serves as a Naval Aviator.

“I joined the Navy because my family has a legacy of military service, with both my father and grandfather serving full careers in the Air Force,” said Figueroa. “I hadn’t considered joining myself until my older brother attended the Naval Academy. Through him, I learned about the career and education opportunities that the Navy had to offer and decided I wanted the chance to serve there too.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Choctaw.

“Choctaw is a small town; somewhere between rural and suburban,” said Figueroa. “The people there are hard-working, honest, humble, and extremely generous. It costs me nothing to be kind and help others where I can, and I’d like to think those are qualities I’ve learned from growing up in Choctaw.”

According to Navy officials, members of HSM-41 Seahawks fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Figueroa serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Figueroa has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is earning my wings as a helicopter pilot,” said Figueroa. “Flight school challenged me in many new ways, but with great friends, peers, and leadership throughout, we made it.”

Figueroa can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy means so much more to me now than when I initially joined,” said Figueroa. “Though I am still very early in my career, I have had the priviledge of working with some of the most dedicated and inspiring individuals I have met. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve my country, and even more so, to serve with such an amazing team.”

Figueroa is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents for their outpouring of love and support throughout my entire life,” added Figueroa. “I’d also like to thank the staff from Bishop McGuinness who wrote letters of recommendation for me and those coaches who helped me become a better teammate and athlete. Their contributions are a large part of the reason I am here today, and I am very grateful. Finally, I have to thank my parish, Saint Philip Neri, for their continued support even now.”

“My first goal is to qualify as a helicopter pilot within the fleet replacement squadrons,” said Figueroa. “For the next eight years, I plan on using this to travel to as many places as I can. The best part of the Navy is working with all of these amazing people. As long as I continue to work with such amazing talent, I plan on staying in.”
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tristan Cookson, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Family members and Veteran caregivers gathered at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City, Louisiana, to pay tribute to four World War II-era residents.

All eyes were on Veterans Alfred Procell, 101; Albert Smith, 101; Billie Taylor, 100; and Robert “Bob” Robertson, 100. Between them, the Veterans have 402 years of combined life experience to celebrate.

“These Veterans are truly a living encyclopedia of history, wisdom and experience,” said Kim Lane, associate director of the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in neighboring Shreveport, where many of the facility’s residence receive their care.

Each Veteran received a framed proclamation and coin signed by VA Secretary Doug Collins to celebrate their life achievements.

Robertson, a Navy Veteran, spent time as an engineer aboard the vessel “Landing Ship Medium 310” in the Pacific during his service.

“If the war hadn’t ended when it did, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here, had they not dropped the bomb on Japan,” Robertson said.

He credits his longevity to never drinking or smoking and some fortunate genetics.

“My dad lived to 103,” Robertson added.

Robertson, Smith and Procell each served in the Navy, while Taylor had a career in the Air Force.

“We’re grateful for the time they have spent with us here at the Veterans Home,” said Wesley Pepitone, administrator of the state-run Veterans home.
by David Hodge, Public Affairs Officer, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center

Elizabeth Wallace, better known as Bess, was born to David and Madge Wallace on February 13, 1885, in Independence, Missouri. 1
Bess was a bright young woman who excelled in sports. After graduating from Independence High School, she attended finishing school at the Barstow School in Kansas City.
At the age of five, she met Harry S. Truman at Sunday school at the First Presbyterian Church, and the two attended school together until they eventually became engaged in 1917. 3
After Harry Truman returned from serving in World War I, the two were married on June 28, 1919. 4
They welcomed a daughter, Margaret, to their family in 1924 and continued to live in Independence.
In the 1920s, Harry Truman embarked on a career in local, and later national, politics that eventually brought the Trumans to Washington, D.C. Bess learned the ins and outs of campaigning, formed friendships with congressional wives, and advised her husband while traveling between Missouri and the nation’s capital. She even worked on her husband’s office staff, handling correspondence. Harry Truman aptly called her “The Boss,” as she expertly navigated life as a senator’s wife and later as second lady during Truman’s tenure as vice president. 5
Following President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death on April 12, 1945, Harry Truman ascended to the presidency. Bess Truman was now first lady—a role she had never aspired to hold. Unlike her predecessor, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mrs. Truman preferred to stay out of the public eye. She canceled Mrs. Roosevelt’s regular women-only press conferences, though she paid special attention to correspondence from the public. 6
Behind the scenes, Bess was an important political asset and sounding board for the president, discussing critical domestic and international issues together.
The Trumans also moved into a White House in desperate need of repair, leading to a massive, multi-year renovation which modernized the home for generations to come. 7
Meanwhile, the family lived across the street in Blair House. Nevertheless, Mrs. Truman continued in her responsibilities as first lady, hosting events, traveling with the president, and managing their household. She also supported organizations including Girl Scouts of America, the Red Cross, and PEO Sisterhood. 8
After leaving the White House, the Trumans returned to their home in Independence. Bess Truman passed away ten years after her husband on October 18, 1982; they are buried beside each other at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence.

The Team Tinker Home Away From Home program began out of a tragedy but has turned into a triumph for the young military members stationed at Tinker Air Force Base.
The program was founded by Mike and Pam Kloiber that pairs young service members with civilian host families to help alleviate the anxiety of being alone and far from home, often for the first time.
On an icy Christmas Eve in 2011, two Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing were killed in an automobile accident in Oklahoma City. After a conversation with then-552nd ACW Commander Col. Greg Guillot, Mrs. Kloiber had her marching orders and set out to create a program modeled after a similar one at the Air Force Academy.
Over the last 10 years, more than 1,500 first term Airmen and Sailors have taken Kloiber up on her offer and actively participated in the program.
The goal of “Team Tinker Home Away From Home” is to provide all eligible, first-term Service Members with a “home away from home.”
The program strives to match community sponsors with young service men and women, giving them a welcoming, safe, and supportive place to spend time, especially during the holidays.
These community sponsors provide them a welcoming place to relax and offer opportunities to have fun away from the stress and day-to-day requirements of life on Tinker Air Force Base (TAFB). Families offer personal interactions that can develop into strong, long-lasting bonds.
In addition to the host partnership, “Team Tinker Home Away From Home” also provides monthly activities, volunteering opportunities, events, speakers, and professional Life Skills seminars at no cost to service members.
Pam Kloiber said she and her husband are proud of the impact their program has had on service members.
“Mike was the CEO/President of Tinker Federal Credit Union for 33 years,” she said. “Mike and I have always worked as a team, and so when he was working there, I also supported the base in any way I could. I didn’t realize how much of an impact that Home Away From Home would have on me when it first began. The program’s impact and the resiliency, connectivity and family immersion for the service members have exceeded more than I expected.”
Service members can become part of THAFH through several different avenues, Kloiber said.
In addition to being linked with a host family, service members can attend a monthly life skills class through the “Empowerment, Enhancement and Education” initiative.
“ I call all of the servicemembers my kids, and my assigned service members connect with Mike and I every Sunday,” she said. “I’m always trying to find new and innovative ideas to support the service member’s lives. I’m always searching for ways to help empower the service members”
Kloiber writes a program curriculum and each year she has a theme.
For 2025, her theme is Let’s Strive to Thrive, a Year of Empowerment, Enhancement in Education.
“Every month we have professional seminars because I want them to have the opportunity to be exposed and learn life skills,” Kloiber said. “Many of them have never bought a car, particularly service members that live in inner cities like New York City, Brooklyn, and they don’t know how to drive a car. We’ve helped purchase cars for many service members and help them to learn how to drive. I have a class on car buying.”
Kloiber said each month different skills classes are offered.
“Each month we have a speaker talking about various topics pertinent to this age group,” she said.
Kloiber said their program hosts an end-of-the-year party for servicemen and servicewomen called “Thanksmas.”
“We combine Thanksgiving and Christmas together, and we call it Thankmas,” she said. “At all our events we offer a free catered meal. The base leadership, commanders and chiefs all join in to serve the food to service members and they join in the class to show how important it is to better yourself. They take the time to sit and break bread, sit right beside an airman and have a meal. The conversation and connection between the leadership and service members is amazing.”
Kloiber said volunteerism is also an important part of Home Away From Home, following the Air Force’s values of Service Before Self.
“We volunteer in the community several ways,” she said. “We have a connection with Mayor Matt Dukes in Midwest City, and we volunteer with him. He has a neighborhood coalition for senior citizens that need help with various projects around their home. We also laid wreaths for Wreaths Across America, and we volunteered with Hope Therapeutic Horse Ranch. This year we’ve added a volunteer project and it’s Vet Chat, and we will be going in October to Norman’s Veterans facility. We will be having coffee and donuts while spending a Saturday morning with the Veterans in Norman.”
Kloiber said suicide is a factor in the military, but her program has been fortunate to not have experienced any suicides.
“We’ve had a lot of airmen that have reached out because they’re hurting, having some mental health issues and they need support. The families have been wonderful because they know when the service members come over, and they’re consistently visiting with them and doing things with them. They let their service members be there to support them.”
Kloiber said Team Tinker Home Away From Home is more than a program to her. It is her passion.
“It’s a passion now, a connection with young people that I have been able to see growth and development in them,” she said. “They have skills, they have talent, they have ability, but occasionally a few may have a weak self-esteem, and all they just need someone to say, “You’ve got this.”
For more information about Team Tinker Home Away From Home call Kloiber at (405) 503-5041 or visit www.teamtinkerhomeawayfromhome.org Home Away From Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable foundation, with no DOD affiliation or governmental status. story/photo by Van Mitchell

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced that it is reinstating National Social Security Month—a public awareness campaign held in April each year that is dedicated to helping Americans access their benefits. The agency last observed National Social Security Month in 2019, during President Trump’s first term. The early days of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of National Social Security Month in 2020, and the Biden Administration never resumed the observance.
“President Trump has promised to protect Americans’ hard-earned Social Security benefits so that all eligible individuals can access them,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “Under the previous administration, SSA promoted radical and wasteful DEI and gender ideology while employees worked from home. The result was sky-high wait times for customer service and unconscionable delays for benefit decisions. Resuming National Social Security Month further aligns the SSA workforce with President Trump’s principle that government must serve The People—and at SSA that means helping all Americans access their benefits in office, over the phone, and online.”
Effective immediately, April of each year will once again be recognized as National Social Security Month. This year, the period of enhanced public outreach will extend to August 14, when Social Security celebrates its 90th Anniversary. Social Security has a proud tradition of public outreach dating back to its establishment, when employees fanned out across the country to enroll Americans in the program. This year’s enhanced public outreach to help eligible individuals access their benefits continues Social Security’s proud tradition of service to the American people.
At the same time, SSA continues its work with the Department of Government Efficiency to rapidly transform SSA into a customer-focused organization that safeguards Americans’ benefits. In alignment with President Trump’s directives, SSA has identified a range of cost avoidance or efficiencies, including terminating or de-scoping wasteful contracts promoting radical DEI and gender ideology. SSA has also refocused its workforce on customer service by: implementing President Trump’s directive that teleworking employees must return to work in-person full time; surging employees in support positions to front-line service positions; and eliminating layers of outdated and inefficient bureaucracy in its headquarters and regional offices to increase accountability. The combined savings from all of these measures is estimated to be over $1 billion. Ongoing modernization of SSA’s IT will further improve the agency’s customer service across all of its service channels while protecting benefits from waste, fraud, and abuse.
For more information about customer service improvements at SSA, please visit the agency’s Communications Corner at www.ssa.gov/news.

No more long phone waits or trips to the VA medical center. The VA: Health and Benefits App lets you refill prescriptions, message your care team and check benefits anytime, anywhere. With a 4.8 rating in the app store, many Veterans feel it’s an essential tool for managing their VA health care.
Your VA care team at your fingertips
Remember the frustration of trying to reach your provider by phone? They might have been busy, or the call may have been outside regular hours. With the app, you can quickly send a secure message to your VA care team, just like using your favorite social media app.
“It’s great to know I can message my provider and get quick answers,” said Stephen Havard, a Marine Corps Veteran from Texas. “I recently asked my primary care team about a medication, and I had a response by the end of the day.” Veterans are taking advantage of this feature, with over 300,000 secure messages sent each month. Remember, secure messaging is for non-urgent communication only. If you’re in crisis, call 911, 988 (then Press 1) or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also access the Veteran Crisis Line straight from the app.
Kick pharmacy runs to the curb
Gone are the days of waiting in line at the VA medical center’s pharmacy. Refilling medications through the VA: Health and Benefits app is now as easy as ordering takeout. “While sitting in my deer blind, I realized I was low on one of my prescriptions,” said Luke Yanny, a Marine Veteran from Wisconsin. “I opened the app and ordered a refill in just a few taps.” Using the app, you can select the medication you need from your prescriptions, ensuring you order the correct one. Your prescriptions are mailed to your address on file, usually within 5-7 business days, at no cost. With over 250,000 prescriptions refilled monthly through the app, it significantly benefits Veterans everywhere.
Claims and appeals status updates at lightning speed
Remember when checking your claim status was frustrating? It wasn’t very user-friendly, with endless phone loops and navigating various web pages to log in. Now, it’s instant. The app gives real-time updates on claims and appeals, bringing you peace of mind with just a glance at your screen. “The app lets you track your claim from your phone,” said Thomas Turman, a Navy Veteran from Texas. “It’s great not to have to make countless calls for updates.” Veterans have checked their claims over 45 million times through the app—providing 45 million moments of clarity.
Appointments managed with military precision
The app’s appointment feature serves as a personal assistant, helping you view, cancel or track appointments. The app lets you add appointments to your phone’s calendar for easy tracking, ensuring you won’t miss any check-ups. “It’s a lot easier to track appointments,” said Deborah Hall, a Marine Veteran in Alabama. “I recently rescheduled an appointment with my primary care team and added it to my phone’s calendar with just a few taps.” That kind of efficiency would make your drill instructor proud. Once it’s on your calendar, you can easily share it with your caregiver, spouse or family to add to their calendars.
Proof of service in your pocket
The app’s one-touch Proof of Veteran Status feature is like having a digital DD-214. “I’m thankful I can use my Veteran’s discount at different stores,” said Richard McMullen, a Colorado Army National Guard Veteran in Colorado. “Now, it only takes a few seconds to prove my status, and it’s a better option—no paperwork.”
A new battle buddy
Download the VA Health and Benefits app, your new battle buddy for navigating your VA health care and benefits and let it change how you connect with VA. If you find the app helpful, share it with fellow Veterans. Scan this QR CODE or visit
www.mobile.va.gov/app/va-health-and-benefits.