Oklahoma Summer Convention July 13-16, 2023

 Dear American Legion Family Members and Friends, 

2022-2023

Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola (pronounced Tree-Ola) was elected national commander of the nation’s largest veterans organization on September 1, 2022 in Milwaukee during The American Legion’s 103rd national convention. His theme as national commander is “V.E.T.S., Veterans, Education, Teamwork and Sponsor.”  

A life member of American Legion Post 1682 in Rockland County, N.Y, he served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves from 1969 to 1974. He completed a tour aboard the USS Nitro, an auxiliary ammunition ship with the Sixth Fleet. He was honorably discharged as a boatswain’s mate third class. He is also a member of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1682 based on the World War II service of Jim’s father.

Jim spent his entire working career in the automotive service industry, where he began as a parts manager at a local Chevrolet dealership and went to serve in many capacities of management. At the time of his retirement in 2017, he was director of service and parts at a New York Metro Mercedes Benz dealership. After a brief time at home, he began an entirely new career as a school bus driver for the Falmouth School district and part-time motor coach operator.

Jim served in many offices at every level of The American Legion. He was elected department (state) commander of New York for 2010-2011, and chaired several national commissions include the National Security Commission, Legislative Commission, Veterans Employment and Education Commission and the Membership and Post Activity Committee. He was elected national vice commander for 2016-2017. 

He married his wife Saveria (pronounced Sa-Vare-ee-ah) in 1973. They have two daughters, Laura and Jeanette; a son-in-law, Michael; and three grandchildren, Alexander, Abigail and Natalia. The Troiolas include three generations of American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion membership. 

Jim currently lives in Maine to be close to a daughter and his grandchildren, while still being within driving distance to the Department of New York.

For God and Country,  Vincent J. "Jim" Triola  National Commander of The American Legion

 (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

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