While drilling reservists enjoyed fun and food at Tinker AFB, veteran friendly businesses explained their services to customers in Piedmont on May 3rd.

Reservists and family of the 507th Air Refueling Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command, unit equipped KC-135 unit, enjoyed their annual Family Day in Hanger 1030. They ate hamburgers, played on air-inflated slides and bounce houses, looked at classic cars and of course, showed off their refueling tankers. Other static display aircraft on hand: a C-5 and C-17 cargo airplane and a T-1, T-6 and T-38 trainer.
What is Family Day? Event planner 1Lt Kennedy Humprey, 465th Aircraft Refueling Squadron, shared that it is “To show our families what we do as military members.” 1Lt Nick Pratt, also with the 465th, added, “Show appreciation to the families because it’s all for them.” Humprey said he expected 1,000 people to attend.
Reservists like what they do. “I like working on the planes that refuel our fighter and other combat mission aircraft, plus I enjoy exploring the world,” said MSgt Trevor Hardesty, a member of the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. MSgt Lindsey Newton, the Engineering Squadron’s First Sergeant, said she likes serving in the 507th “because the people (reservists) are like family.”

Twenty-nine organizations manned tables offering services and products, such as 72d Air Base Wing’s Military Family Readiness Center and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, DoD’s Integrated Prevention & Resilience Office, VFW Post 8706 (Moore), and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. “I come because I want to help families with resources,” said Crystal Garcia with the Employee Assistance Program at Tinker AFB.
Gerardo Guzman, a 30-year retired Army Sergeant First Class, came because his son is a member of the wing. “My wife and I were proud for my son…” joining the Air Force Reserves.
According to the 507 ARW website (https://www.507arw.afrc.af.mil/About-Us/), “The wing operates and maintains eight KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft providing world-wide aerial refueling to U.S. and NATO aircraft in times of peace, war and national emergency” and “…consists of three subordinate groups and 11 squadrons while employing more than 1,200 men and women.”
Meanwhile, in Piedmont, the 4th Annual VetsFest 2025 was in full swing (with guitars, drums and keyboards) at the Piedmont Veterans Event Center. The Piedmont Area Veterans Association (PAVA)

( https://pavavets.org ), hosted the event. The Caroline Grace and J. Rod Wald bands played country music while Atlantis Aquarius entertained with psychedelic 60s style rock and roll for 300 people that attended. Grace joined the Atlantis Aquarius’ six band members to provide more vocals.
Twenty-five veteran-owned and veteran-connected businesses (colleges with veteran student services, etc.) came from throughout Oklahoma. Patriot Automotive of Piedmont is owned and operated by Jeremy Hays and John Leahr. Hays was a five-year U.S. Navy medical corpsman and Leahr is a 15-year drilling reservist with the 160th Oklahoma National Guard (U.S. Army). Hays said they wanted a booth to “let people know we are here to serve our community. You bring it in and we’ll fix it,” meaning vehicles of all makes, models and ages.
Ella Jefferson-Speed, founder and CEO of Soul Survivor Supportive Living Foundation, came to bring awareness to the organization. She is a 10-year U.S. Army veteran. She uses her experience to help “women with societal barriers like disability, homelessness, justice involved (jailed) and sobriety services.” The Soul Survivor handout says it’s a “501©3 that is dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and loving drug-free temporary home-solution for Veteran Women…” She estimated serving 25 women in 4 years.
Josh Cain was the lead event planner and is a PAVA board member. He said, “PAVA has done a lot of traditional things, for instance, (having) veterans affairs representatives, but beyond that, we are dynamically active in unique ways.” Holding VetsFest is one unique way. It allows them “to support veteran owned businesses and to celebrate veterans.” He said the event was a success because the overwhelming number of vendors were happy with the number of customers who engaged with them. Referring to event sponsors Ascent Midstream Partners, F&M Bank, Edward Jones and Express Employment International, Cain said, “I can’t say enough good things about how these guys care.” story/photos by Richard Stephens, Jr., Lt. Col, USAF Retired

On March 29, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day designated to honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam War veterans, the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) held its ninth annual service commemoration pinning ceremony.
This day was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. military units from South Vietnam in 1973. The ceremony at OHC was a tribute to the service men and women who served in any branch of the US Armed Forces anywhere in the world during the Vietnam War era.
The free and open-to-the-public event occurred in the Devon Great Hall of the OHC, with the Capitol in the background, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The ceremony began with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 145th Army Band sharing patriotism through music.
Former Oklahoma Representative Gary Banz, now director of the Villages OKC Veteran and Patriot Initiative, welcomed the 200 people who gathered that day. The recognition pins were to honor any U.S. veteran who served on active duty or in the reserves in the U.S. Armed Forces from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, Vietnam or otherwise. Family members of any veteran unable to be present were also to receive a pin.
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director, retired Rear Admiral James “Jay” Bynum, delivered the keynote address. In his speech, he put the war and the soldiers’ contribution to freedom in perspective, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of the veterans and the importance of remembering their service.
“Today, March 29, holds a profound place in our nation’s history—it marks the 50th anniversary of the official disestablishment of the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, and the departure of the last U.S. combat troops in 1973,” Bynum said. “This day also saw the release of the final group of acknowledged prisoners of war from Hanoi—a poignant moment in the long and difficult road toward healing after the Vietnam Conflict.”
“While we gather to reflect on this date, we also look ahead to April 30, when we will mark 50 years since the fall of Saigon in 1975. That event brought the Vietnam War to its conclusion and, for many, represented both an ending and a beginning—a time for reflection on the sacrifices of those who served. These intertwined dates in March and April remind us of historical milestones and the enduring resilience of the men and women who served during this challenging chapter in our nation’s history.” Bynum was a career F/A-18 pilot deployed to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The event was further steeped in patriotism when retired Navy Captain John Keilty, who heads up the Junior ROTC at Del City High School, inducted two of his senior cadets into the service. He mentioned they had performed with others in more than 300 honor guard presentations during their high school career.
“One of the greatest privileges a commissioned officer has is to be able to give a recruit or a Sailor the oath to defend and protect the Constitution,” Keilty said in an interview. “And being able to induct Sebastian Stanton, the Cadet CO headed for the Marines, and to Eva Black, the Cadet XO, was such an honor that I will cherish forever.”
Eva Black signed on to be a gunner’s mate in the Navy, while Sebastian Stanton signed on to be a small arms machinist in the Marine Corps. “Our Military will continue to be the best in the world when we enlist outstanding young men and women like Sebastian and Eva,” Keilty said.
The event also featured speakers and many former soldiers with their color guard representing the South Vietnamese community.
Vietnamese refugees arrived in Oklahoma City after Saigon’s fall, significantly transforming the city’s cultural landscape. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Vietnamese population in Oklahoma City increased from 2,000 in 1975 to 10,000 by 1990, a testament to the war’s lasting impact.
The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act designated March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day, to be commemorated with annual nationwide events. The act stipulates that only Vietnam War veterans and their families are recognized.
The Vietnam War saw 58,286 Americans killed in action, 155 Medal of Honor winners, and still lists 1,615 soldiers as missing in action. The Missing Man Table, sometimes called the “Fallen Comrade Table,” was displayed. It reminds viewers of fallen, missing, or imprisoned U.S. Military service members.
The commemoration ceremony continued in recognition of the services represented by having the service members gathered stand service by service. The branches were represented by 3 Marines, 12 Navy, 20 Air Force, and 30 Army service members in the audience.
The crowd honored the service members as Banz read out their names and service details, including their highest rank, to those assembled individually. Each veteran had their veteran lapel pins affixed by Del City High School Junior ROTC members as a lasting memento of the Nation’s thanks.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served in this time frame.
One historical quote helps put the event in perspective.
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Michael Brazelton’s (four-time Silver Star recipient and former Vietnam War POW) said at the July 8, 2015 Congressional Ceremony on the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin “I have had a number of medals pinned on me in my day and this is certainly the highest ranking and the most honors I have received for any pinning ceremony. Even though it might just be a lapel pin to a lot of people, this is like a medal to the Vietnam veterans.” story/photo by Darl Devault, contributing editor

What an honor and a privilege to be part of the inaugural Chaplain’s Corner segment. My name is SFC (Ret.) George Shafer, and I am the Chaplain for The American Legion LeBron Post 58 in Guthrie, OK.
I recently graduated seminary with a capstone thesis about online ministry and American Veterans. During the research phase of development, I felt as though the Lord directed me to Matthew chapter 8 verses 5-18 which states: “When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.’ And the servant was healed at that very moment.”

Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV)

This passage is fascinating for several reasons. First, the geographical context of Capernaum at this time being “an important fishing village and commercial center…As a major city on the trade route, it had a Roman battalion, and one of the centurions approached Jesus.” Osborne and Arnold also believe that the centurion would have been either Syrian or Roman, and notes that the relationship between Romans/Syrian and the Jews was highly contentious.
Furthermore, this passage is the only one in Matthew’s gospel that “Jesus marvels at anything.” Jesus marveled at the faith of the centurion! But this passage gets even better; especially when we view this interaction within the scope of evangelism and missions. Osborne notes that “the miracle happened as much for the centurion as for his slave, and that in this, salvation has come not just to Israel but for the nations, so that the universal mission is found here in embryo.”
Did you catch that? Whereas we understand that the first Gentile conversion occurs in Acts under the command of God to Peter after his vision, here we find the Son of God himself carefully cultivating and preparing the way for Gentile inclusion… through a soldier.
If you are reading this and are struggling with your faith; perhaps the transition from soldier to civilian has been too much. Maybe you’re like me and your time in the military left you with scars, both visible and invisible. But I want you to know that He sees you. He hears you. He knows you and He completely understands you. The Gentile ministry that Jesus began with the Centurion over two thousand years ago in an embryonic state was not still-born but rather is alive and well in the pursuit of YOU.
I pray this message has encouraged you in your faith. If you have not yet considered the path of a faith-driven life, I would encourage you to stop by your local veteran service organization (The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, etc.) and speak to the local chaplain. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you in all you do today!
by Rev. George F. Shafer, SFC (Ret.), M.Div., B.S., Chaplain (TAL Post 58)

With over 90 miles of trails weaving through the area, Oklahoma City’s numerous parks are a haven for walkers, joggers, and hikers alike. While the green urban spaces invite exploration of the hidden gems and points of interest throughout the city, one must-see landmark for visitors – day or night – is the iconic Skydance Bridge.

Arriving late in the afternoon, we parked on SW Second Street before heading south on foot through Scissortail Park, named after Oklahoma’s state bird – the scissor-tailed flycatcher. Our destination was the 380-foot-long pedestrian Skydance Bridge that spans I-40 and connects the north (40-acre) and south (30-acre) portions of the park. Opened in 2012, the state bird also inspired the bridge’s design with its striking V-shaped steel sculpture towering nearly 200 feet above the walkway, resembling the flycatcher’s distinctive forked tail feathers.

After admiring the bridge, we continued through the park and surrounding area waiting for sunset since the bridge is especially stunning when lit by LED lights during the evening. But there was no shortage of dazzling sights to fill the remaining daylight hours, including a walk around a lake with surrounding trees teeming with colorful chirping birds. Rental pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks glided slowly over the water as their occupants absorbed the relaxing view dominated by Oklahoma City’s tallest building. The sleek 50-story Devon Tower, also completed in 2012, is a skyline scene stealer with its reflective glass exterior. The Vast Restaurant occupies the top two floors offering both meals “sourced from local producers” and spectacular views of the city.

Myriad Botanical Gardens, just a couple of blocks north of the park off Reno Street, was intriguing. Since originally conceived by city leaders in the late 1960s, the 17-acre plot most recently underwent an $11 million renovation in 2022 and features immaculate landscaping, a children’s garden, a restaurant area, fountains, sculptures, and the dazzling Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory encased in a shell of over 3,000 translucent acrylic panels housing an impressive exotic plant collection.

The “Taking Flight: Light as a Feather” art piece, installed 2 years ago at the north end of Scissortail Park, was a delightful surprise find. The 6-ton 31-foot-tall metal sculpture is the artist’s vision of a delicately curved feather gently floating earthward. Stunning any time – and especially at night when fiber optic lights illuminate its intricate details – the sculpture truly comes to life just prior to sunset when we happened to walk past. As the sun hung in the darkening sky behind the sculpture, its dying rays filtered through the figure highlighting the steel bars comprising the feather’s ribs, offering an inspiring picture-perfect moment we were lucky to experience.

For many visitors, however, the star of Scissortail Park will be the illuminated Skydance Bridge straddling the busy Interstate below. The remotely controlled lights, programmable for holidays and special events, displayed a vibrant deep blue glow during our visit, dramatically highlighting the structure’s sweeping design. But the color varies from night to night. When viewed from the bridge’s south end and set against the backdrop of city lights, it was the perfect conclusion to our 2-mile urban nature walk around Oklahoma City.

story and photos by Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. His hiking column describes short trails, hikes, and walks from around the country that seniors might enjoy while traveling. See www.ItsAWonderfulHike.com.

VetChat hosted Rear Admiral James Bynum, Executive Director of ODVA, at Cornerstone Church in Midwest City on April 12, where he addressed 110 veterans and discussed the agency’s current and future roles. Bynum, a retired Navy fighter pilot with a 36-year career, emphasized his commitment to enhancing veteran services by improving mentorship programs, increasing the quality of Veterans Service Officers, and leveraging technology for secure, convenient access to benefits. He detailed plans to bolster communication through quarterly advisory forums, regular newsletters, and an expanded media presence, as well as partnerships with private organizations to aid with job placements. During the Q&A session, veterans raised concerns ranging from lost medical records to reduced benefits. Bynum said ODVA is exploring CMS certification for veteran care facilities and will open a new Veterans Home in Sallisaw in 2025.
VetChat, a non-profit organization that promotes veteran fellowship, hosted Rear Admiral James Bynum, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) at the Cornerstone Church in Midwest City, April 12th. Bynum discussed current and future roles of the agency and answered questions from the 110 veterans in attendance.
Bynum built a 36-year career in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot (primarily F-18s), retiring in 2021. His last military assignment was as Deputy and Director, Warfare Development, on the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations staff. He also commanded “the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron 27…and Carrier Air Wing 3 as part of the Harry S. Truman Strike Group…” according to ODVA’s website. Bynum started his talk by saying he was glad to have been asked to lead ODVA. “I needed a mission, be part of a team and have some outcome,” he said. The director talked directly and honestly with veterans.
He emphasized how ODVA will get better to serve veterans and their families with the services and benefits they offer. “We can’t be professional if we don’t know how we need to improve or if we don’t know where we’re falling short, if we’re aiming totally at the wrong target. So, we have to have that input…Whether that’s veteran services, whether that’s help with finding a job, whether that’s help with finding other services…But our job is to be that connective tissue…That’s finding some discreet things to get accomplished, put ‘em on a calendar, make a plan, assign roles and responsibilities and drive to them. And then come check our homework. See how we did.”
Ways for the ODVA to provide information include scheduling quarterly Veterans Advisory Forums, advertising on television and radio (started in May) and publishing a regular newsletter. Areas to improve service include providing mentorship and more qualified Veterans Service Officers (VSOs). “We all want the best that someone has to offer,” Bynum said. “I owe every veteran that…You’re not going to get an apprentice VSO, you’re going to get journeyman or above with access to masters (highly qualified ability) if you need it.”
Bynum wants ODVA to utilize technology better by having personal identifiable information available in a veteran’s registry securely held behind electronic firewalls. He stated, “We can do that business with you online at your convenience, on your time…I got to meet you where you are.” The Director acknowledged ODVA doesn’t have the people to meet with every veteran individually or in groups. No mention was made whether the drive towards technology-powered tools would result in fewer ODVA employees, face-to-face or telephone service.
Partnering with private and public organizations, such as Major Talent for job finding can help veterans (https://majortalent.com/). Bynum said, “They have a nationwide architecture to acquaint your resume with the folks that fund them, free to the veteran. They’ll write your resume, they’ll give you the lesson, they’ll give you mock interviews, computer-based training on how to do an interview.”
Currently, Veterans Homes must be certified by the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Bynum said ODVA is exploring “other ways to provide care and operate Veteran Affairs homes, perhaps through Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) certification. So, with Medicare Advantage waivers, veterans can now get in-home care, and…because we have…full suite of skilled nursing available, and that’s speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy…if we get that CMS certification to do rehabilitation work for short stays…,” veterans will benefit. ODVA is asking three facilities to look into getting CMS certification.
A new Veterans Home in Sallisaw, Sequoyah County, will open in 2025. It is built and staff are being hired. Senator Kelly Hines (R) and Representative Nicole Miller (R) submitted State Bill 520 to create a State of Oklahoma Veterans Foundation allowing it to receive donations to promote veteran activities. It was signed into law by Governor Stitt on April 23, 2025.
Ten veterans asked questions ranging from what to do about the VA losing medical records to what the OVDA could do to help small businesses to reductions in benefits (tinnitus, sleep apnea).
According to Bynum, Oklahoma has about 300,000 veterans. More information about the ODVA is at https://oklahoma.gov/veterans.html.
Other attendees included the following from ODVA: Dr. Sidney Ellington, Vice Chairman of the Veterans Commission, Lisa Acevedo, Director of Veteran Services & Legislative Liaison, Pitta Zulker, Women Veterans Program Coordinator, and Al Garza, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Administrator, and State Senator Brenda Stanley (R), Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes and Vietnam War Ace Colonel Charles Bellevue.
story/photos by Richard Stephens, Jr.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced the appointment of Stephen Evangelista as the Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Operations. In this role, he will oversee SSA’s nationwide network of offices that provide frontline and support services to millions of customers each year. This includes oversight of more than 1,200 field offices serving communities across the country, as well as 23 teleservice centers assisting the public on the phone.

Stephen Evangelista has over 25 years of experience in executive leadership roles at SSA. He has held various leadership positions within the agency, most recently serving as the Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Policy in the Office of Law and Policy. His record of achievement includes developing and implementing an enterprise strategy to unify SSA’s more than 3,000 data matching agreements, resulting in improved program administration.

“Stephen’s proven track record of leadership and his dedication to public service make him an excellent choice for this critical role,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “His deep knowledge of the agency’s programs will be an asset as we continue to improve customer service while safeguarding Americans’ hard-earned benefits.”

Stephen Evangelista succeeds Doris Diaz, who had been serving as the agency’s Acting Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Operations since January 2025. Under her leadership, SSA implemented several customer-focused improvements, including expediting over $14.8 billion in retroactive payments to more than 2.2 million individuals under the Social Security Fairness Act.

“I am grateful to Doris for her outstanding leadership of the Office of Operations,” added Dudek. “She delivered transformational improvements in the agency’s operations, and millions of Americans’ lives are better because of her service.”

For more information, please visit the SSA’s Communications Corner at www.ssa.gov/news.