“Tulsa’s veterans and their families have made significant sacrifices on behalf of all Americans. It is our duty to provide them our unconditional support.” – Mayor Kathy Taylor

Tulsa has over 40,000 veterans and is ranked 7th in the United States in the percent of veterans.

Taylor meets with US Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs, General Eric Shenseki

In April, 2009 Taylor welcomed the President’s cabinet secretary of Veteran’s Affairs to Tulsa.

The Mayor briefed the Secretary on Tulsa veteran’s initiatives and updated the former Army General on Tulsa’s needs to provide needed resources to returning military personnel from the wars in Afganistan and Iraq.

Pfc. Albert E. Schwab Airport Dedication

On November 10, 2008, the 233rd birthday of the US Marine Corps, Mayor Taylor dedicated the central terminal at Tulsa International Airport for the late Pfc Albert E. Schwab.

Private First Class Schwab is Tulsa’s only Medal of Honor recipient and received the award posthumously for his valiance during World War II at the Battle of Okinawa.

Military and Veteran’s Resource Lounge, Tulsa International Airport

Working with the Military and Veterans Advisory Council, the Mayor established a veteran’s lounge at Tulsa International Airport to welcome and aid the thousands of service members and veterans returning home each year. Read the Mayor’s speech.

The Military and Veterans Resource Lounge provides a comfortable place to rest, a place for families to gather and a place for veterans to find information regarding local services and benefits.

“Closing the Loop: Meeting the Needs of Returning Military and Their Families”

On April 30, 2009, the Mayor’s Veteran’s Affairs Office teamed up with the University of Tulsa’s Center for Community Research and Development to host a seminar designed to help veterans and their families. The event featured speakers on issues of mental health, educational resources, and the work and family needs of veterans.

Help on the Home Front

By enlisting the collaboration of Tulsa’s 2-1-1 Helpline, the Mayor established a military and veterans database to complement the resources already listed.  Available 24 hours a day and confidential, service members, veterans, and their families can call this number to receive the resources they need.  Information can be downloaded from www.tulsaveterans.com or obtained at over 40 locations in the City of Tulsa.  Watch the KOTV video interview here.

Veterans Court Established

By forging a collaborative effort between the Mayor’s office, Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris, Special District Judge Sarah Smith, the US Department of Veteran’s Affiars and the Public Defender offices the Veteran’s Treatment Court was established.

The court is only the third of its kind in the nation and addresses the needs of military veterans who have turned to drugs or alchohol to deal with the aftermath of combat. Read the Mayor’s press release.

Veterans Resource Center at Tulsa Community College

With over 600 veterans, service members, and dependants enrolled at Tulsa Community College just for the Fall 2008 Semester, Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor collaborated with TCC to implement the TCC Veterans Resource Center at the Metro Campus.

This first of its kind at any college or university in the state, the resource center is staffed with volunteer service officers and encompasses a flat screen television, comfortable chairs, computers with internet access, and all of the information that is available in the City of Tulsa for those who have and are serving. Read the Tulsa World story.

Operation Patriot Watch

Working with officers in the Tulsa Police Department, the Mayor established Operation Patriot Watch to keep a visual on the homes of families who have an immediate family member deployed in the War on Terror.

More information about the program can be found by calling the Mayor’s Action Center at 918-596-2100 or by calling 211.

MTV NEWS

Matt Stiner, Veteran’s Liaison for the Mayor’s Office was recently interviewed by MTV. He spoke about a new initiative undertaken by Mayor Taylor to establish a military and veteran’s court. The court helps guide veterans through any problems they may be facing with the court system. Read the story on MTV News.

Recognition

Mayor Taylor is a member of the US Conference of Mayors Military/Community Relations Task Force. Taylor represented Tulsa as one of only three cities from across the nation to give a best practices report concerning her work on military and veterans initiatives.

Taylor has received recognition by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Blue Star Mothers, Northeastern Oklahoma Veterans Association, Employment Support of the Guard and Reserves, Marine Corps League, and National Association for Black Veterans to name a few for her work regarding those who serve and protect our country.

State Legislation

Working with Tulsa’s legislative delegation, legislation was drafted to:

• assist Guard and Reservists who are deployed in the War on Terror during a semester in college.
• aid widows, dependants, and/or disabled veterans who return from the War on Terror and choose to enter post-secondary education.