Two-day event is free to all veterans and will be held at Choctaw Resort
By ZACH MAXWELL
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
DURANT, Okla.– The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting the Southern Plains Region Veterans Training Summit at the Choctaw Nation Hotel and Casino resort this Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 27-28.
All veterans, anyone who has ever served in the military in any capacity, are welcomed and encouraged to attend. This event will teach attendees about available grants, give updates on services and benefits, offer employment training and bring veterans in contact with agencies aimed at offering services.
The summit will have a distinctively Choctaw flavor, but is open to all U.S. veterans regardless of race, age, economic status and service branch. The summit is free, no pre-registration is necessary and it is open to residents of Oklahoma, Texas and all other states.
Cooperating agencies which will be on hand to provide information to veterans include: Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Social Security Administration, Small Business Administration (SBA) and tribal programs for Native American veterans.
The summit will open at 8 a.m. Wednesday in the Choctaw Ballroom of the South Casino with opening ceremonies hosted by the Choctaw Nation. Opening remarks are scheduled by Gen. Rita Aragon (Ret.), State Rep. Seneca Scott and Jacque Hensley, tribal liaison to Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin.
Wednesday sessions will be held on VA medical collaboration with the Indian Health Service, Veteran’s employment, Veterans Upward Bound program, the VA Home Loan Program and benefits.
Thursday sessions, beginning at 8 a.m., will focus on the veterans homeless program, family support services, Veterans Justice Outreach, SSA, SBA and health issues. Mary Culley, regional specialist for the VA Office of Tribal Government Relations, will offer closing remarks at 1 p.m.
For more information about the Southern Plains Region Veterans Training Summit, call Mrs. Culley at (405) 626-3426.