Improving the lives of veterans, the military and their families
YOU are the American Legion!
For God, Country and Service.
Post everlasting Department of Oklahoma SVCDR. James "Lee"
James "Lee" Cathey
It is with Great sadness that we announce that our Senior Vice Commander for The Department of Oklahoma, and the Liaison for the SAL Detachment of Oklahoma Lee Cathey has passed away this morning and has transitioned to post everlasting.
I would ask that all Posts, Squadrons drape their charters and observe 30 seconds of silence at each Post/Squadron meeting for the next 30 days.
Lee was very passionate about the Legion Family and our membership; I would ask that you Honor him by meeting and exceeding our membership goals!
department of oklahoma american legion mid-winter conferen
Department of Oklahoma Mid-Winter Conference January 25-27, 2024, Embas
Please use the booking link below to reserve your rooms for the
Mid-Winter Conference.
New Department of Oklahoma Family merch..
Polo Shirts and Hats
Team Oklahoma, our American Legion Department online store is now active again. The store will close on August 30, 2023. After the store closes, all orders will be processed. All orders will be shipped out around Sept. 13. FastStitch Merch Stores are designed to help get your merch into the hands of your organization. All merch stores are setup as a preorder sale, this means we print everything after the store close date. Once the store closes, all sales are final. We do not accept any returns or exchanges. Orders will be shipped out no later than Sep 13th. **If you want to purchase with a tax exemption, please email Sales@Faststitch before placing your order
Oklahoma AMerican legion college application
click the pdf link below for the Oklahoma American Legion College Application.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:e47f4998-39fe-4726-9067-6728d8939a47
Email your application to: oklegioncollege@gmail.com
Mail your application to: Registrar, American Legion College
201 S. Capital Ave Tishomingo, Oklahoma 73460
click the pdf link below to view the Oklahoma American Legion College Mission Statement
https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:435e96fe-f7ee-3349-90c2-a0a9ff1888dd
TAL National Commander Daniel Seehafer
Daniel J. Seehafer
National Commander
The American Legion
2023-2024
Daniel J. Seehafer was elected national commander of the nation’s largest veterans organization on August 31, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C., during The American Legion’s 104th national convention. Seehafer likes to say, “It’s personal,” when it comes to The American Legion’s mission of serving veterans and their families. He is continuing the theme of “Be the One,” to prevent veteran suicide.
An ordained minister from Wisconsin, he earned his American Legion eligibility through service in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, where he served as a military chaplain. A member of American Legion Post 157 in Horicon, Wis., Seehafer served in a number of American Legion offices at every level, including national chaplain and commander of the Department of Wisconsin.
Born and raised in Merrill, Wis., he lettered in cross-country track while in high school and later received a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry from Concordia University and a Master of Divinity at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Seehafer was installed as assistant pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Horicon in 1997 and continues to serve as administrative pastor of the church and its school. His American Legion post was recognized for “100 percent” and “All-Time High” in membership during his terms as commander and adjutant. Other honors include district commander’s new post achievement award, silver brigade, and Post 157 Legionnaire of the Year.
In 2023, Seehafer earned an Outstanding Heroism Award for administering the Heimlich Maneuver to a choking victim at an American Legion dinner.
National Commander Seehafer and his wife, Stacey, who is a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 157, live in Beaver Dam, Wis. Dan’s son, Jacob, and daughter, Emma, are also members of the Post 157 family. Dan is the son of the late Lester Seehafer and Jean Sabatke.
National Commander Daniel seehafer Program
Be The One
TO ASK VETERANS IN YOUR LIFE HOW THEY ARE DOING.
TO LISTEN WHEN A VETERAN NEEDS TO TALK.
TO REACH OUT WHEN A VETERAN IS STRUGGLING.
https://www.facebook.com/okamlegion/videos/2310212452474272/
National Emergency Fund Application
Hyperlink below to download the NEF Application Fillable
Due to the Recent Declared National Disasters
Good afternoon all,
Please share as you see fit and as needed. Please carefully review the attached National Emergency Fund (NEF) application. Spring 2022 has begun. In light of the recent tornadoes and wildfires in the south and anticipating destructive weather conditions now that Spring is upon us, we are sending this e-mail to all as a reminder that the NEF is here to assist Legionnaires, SAL members and American Legion posts that have sustained damages due to a declared natural disaster. For the fires, the NEF will only provide for those fires that were started naturally, not fires started by people.
For Legionnaires and SAL members, grants are capped at $3,000. For American Legion Posts, grants are capped at $10,000.Having a big sale, on-site celebrity, or other event? Be sure to announce it so everybody knows and gets excited about it.
The NEF Donations Link is below:
https://youtu.be/aYTPVnmrsh0
National Emergency Fund Grant Application Procedures - YouTube
Please review the application carefully, and remember, until there’s an emergency or disaster declaration for a natural disaster in place (federal, state or local), the NEF can’t help until one is issued. If a declaration is issued, ensure that the applicant is current on their membership prior to the disaster and at the time of application submission, provides photos, receipts and any insurance paperwork. FEMA statements are good too. Statements from American Legion Post/District/Department officers or community leadership is encouraged to reinforce the grant application. Ensure application is completely filled out, or it could be sent back to the department for more information. This is all outlined on the application and is provided for on the instruction sheet and the video. NEF does not provide for repairs or replacement of lost or damaged items in the primary home of residence. If the destroyed property is owned by the member, but he/she does not physically live there, that property is not covered by the NEF. Vehicles or outbuildings are not covered. These should be covered by the member’s insurance. If available, provide copies of insurance determination, if any. If the home is rented, renters insurance information should be provided, if any. Call or e-mail me for any clarifications. For American Legion posts, only things covered are post programs that might sustain losses pertaining to the intent of the Four Pillars of The American Legion. Losses from the social quarters and/or restaurant of the post are not covered. A copy of the most recent Consolidated Post Report (CPR) needs to be attached. Written statements from post/district/department officers and/or local community leaders as to how the losses to the post will be detrimental in the community is very helpful. Insurance documents should be provided. Departments can mail, fax (317-630-1413) or scan/e-mail the application and any attachments (photos, receipts, other supporting documents) to ia@legion.org. Staff will process from there. If approved by the National Adjutant, a check will be cut from Finance and mailed that same day or the next day to the department adjutant to disburse to the member or the post. Address to mail to: The American Legion National Headquarters ATTN: National Emergency Fund Internal Affairs & Membership Division P. O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 If a National Emergency Fund application comes to us directly from the member, we will scan/e-mail back to the department adjutant for his or her recommendation. Remember, the department leadership and volunteers are “boots on the ground”, so the department has to make the best determination for recommended grant amount to the national organization.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jennifer G. Bloomfield Public Informat
(OKLAHOMA CITY) – ODVA AIMS TO SERVE OKLAHOMA’S MOST DISABLED VETERANS THROUGH “70 PERCENT-PLUS INITIATIVE”
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) “70 Percent-Plus Outreach Initiative” has been launched. The “70 Percent-Plus Outreach Initiative” is a tightly focused effort by ODVA to connect, through in-person presentations, direct mail, radio spots and word of mouth, with the 53,000 Oklahoma veterans who are 70 percent or higher in their service-connected disability to reach those who need long-term care. Veterans with a long-term care need and service-connected rating of 70 percent or higher can live completely free of charge in one of ODVA’s seven State Veterans Homes. Unlike many other long-term care facilities in Oklahoma that rely on Medicare/Medicaid (CMS) funding, ODVA does not have a “spend down” requirement where a veteran must divest of his or her life savings prior to receiving assistance. Also, all medications are provided to all resident veterans completely free of charge. Oklahoma’s seven Veterans Homes are located in Ardmore, Claremore, Clinton, Lawton, Norman, Sulphur, and Talihina and have a combined total of 1,423 beds. Each Home is designed and staffed to meet the unique needs of aging and disabled veterans, and each Home has its own unique features, amenities, and local culture. Each Veterans Home offers highly professional, on site accredited medical staff, social workers, pharmacies, and recreation, as well as varied therapies. Also, a brand-new State Veterans Home is presently under construction in Sallisaw, Oklahoma and is scheduled to open its doors mid-summer 2023. “It is indeed a special privilege to care for Oklahoma veterans who have faithfully served our state and nation,” stated Joel Kintsel, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. “These men and women truly exemplify the ethos of “service before self” and it is an honor to care for them and to support their families.” By state law, disabled veterans receive priority admission to the State Veterans Homes as do veterans on the basis of their service period and status as combat veterans. In addition, ODVA maintains an admissions “waiting list” to allow veterans who do not need care now, but wish to plan for future long-term care needs to apply now to minimize what could be a significant wait at the time they seek future admission. To be eligible for admission, applicants must have served in active Armed Forces of the United States for at least 90 days and must have received a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. Likewise, an applicant must need long-term care as documented by a medical professional. A full list of eligibility requirements as well as the application for current or future “wait-listed” admission can be found at: oklahoma.gov/veterans/veterans-centers.html
Oklahoma Remains top State for veterans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2022 (OKLAHOMA CITY) – The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) is excited to announce that Oklahoma has reached a special milestone. Oklahoma has achieved a ranking of number ONE amongst the 50 States in a new category.
The Annual Benefits for Fiscal Year 2022 published by The United States Department of Veteran Affairs indicates that Oklahoma Veteran's in receipt of disability compensation and pension benefits are compensated at the nation's highest average rate of $8,593 per year. That is more than $450 per year more than the nearest state. The states of North Carolina, Texas, Alabama and Georgia round out the top 5 in this category. While the Annual Benefits Report for Fiscal Year 2021 listed Oklahoma as first amongst the 50 states for veterans per-capita in receipt of disability compensation and pension benefits, the same report shows that Oklahoma has slipped to second by the narrowest of margins in that category in Fiscal year 2022. With 36.9% of veterans in receipt of disability benefits, Oklahoma is now a very close second by a mere two-tenths of a percent behind first place Nebraska whose rate of participating veterans is 37.1%. I am so proud of Oklahoma veterans. Together, for the second year in a row, we have achieved a number "One in a matter of great importance not only for veterans specifically, but for the entire State of Oklahoma", said Joel Kintsel, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.
Out of approximately 290,000Oklahoma veterans, there are over 104,000 veterans with some level of service-connected disability. Service-connected disability means that the federal VA has established that a veteran has a compensable injury or medical condition resulting from military service. For 104,000 service-connected, disabled Oklahoma veterans, this reflects over @2.2 billion provided directly to the individual veterans.
It is established that more than half of the Oklahoma veterans who may be eligible for compensation for injuries and or medical conditions arising from military service have not yet applied. Oklahoma veterans who need assistance with filing a claim for service-connected disability are invited to call or visit on-line (405)523-3400: www.oklahoma.gov/veterans
Veterans Strengthening America
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local posts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans throughout our nation. The American Legion’s success depends entirely on membership, participation and volunteerism.
The Nation's Largest
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
For Over 100 Years
The American Legion's Washington Conference, held annually in our nation's capital gives our organization's leadership a chance to meet with elected officials to discuss legislative initiatives and priorities important to Legion members and their families. It also provides a forum that allows Legionnaires to hear from senators, representatives, and officials from the White House and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Please give to our Oklahoma Veterans and their families.
Help The American Legion provide another 100 years of service.
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USAA is proud to be the Preferred Provider of Insurance and Financial Services to The American Legion.
Please visit usaa.com/legion or call (877) 699-2654