The fact that Pete Laughlin was visiting the new Sallisaw Veterans Center on Tuesday was not that unusual. The fact that he found the time in his packed schedule to visit Oklahoma’s latest — and possibly greatest — veterans facility was what was surprising.
Because when he’s not involved with something associated with the Disabled American Veterans, he’s busy with Masonic and Scottish Rite activities, Eastern Star functions, ham radio organizations and a long list of other philanthropic, fraternal and service affiliations.
“Between [Brian Moore, DAV Chapter 3 adjutant] being gone all the time and me being busier than …,” Laughlin trails off as he considers the myriad pursuits that he juggles.
But for things that are important — things that are a priority — you find the time. Because for residents of the sprawling Sallisaw home, time is about all they have, and for too many, time is running short.
That’s why Laughlin, commander for McIntosh County’s DAV Chapter 3, along with his wife, Crystal, and four of his DAV colleagues made the 45-minute drive on I-40 to bring a cache of goodies and treats, as well as DAV T-shirts and several puzzles, as gifts for the residents.
“This is part of the DAV mission, taking care of our others,” says Laughlin, who is also the DAV service officer. This is accomplished by the DAV ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them, fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, providing employment resources to veterans and their families, and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.
So when Laughlin, Moore, David Fultz, Bob Goekler and Don Scott visited Sallisaw and met with Michelle Smith, recreation director for the veterans facility, they pledged to help fill some of the needs residents have as they transition into their new home.
Moore told Smith that DAV McIntosh County wants to be a resource for the Sallisaw Veterans Center, and is working to “set up a future path for donations locally.” Smith said one of the needs for the center is bookshelves, especially for a library planned for the facility.
The 215,000-squarefoot center with 175 single-occupancy rooms was dedicated in February, and began accepting residents in June. The occupancy process has been slow by design, with only 12 current residents. As Admiral Jay Bynum, executive director for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, explains it, the first 20 veterans at the center will be cared for to demonstrate the staff’s ability, which Bynum expects to take “a couple of months.” After that, more residents will be welcomed, with a goal of having about 100 at the center by the end of the year.
“We have the appetite,” Bynum says, “it’s just making sure we have that managed growth to sustain the organization.”
And when the center is given the go-ahead to accept residents beyond the initial 20, “it will not be a matter of finding residents,” Bynum says. “I’ve got a hundred-plus applications already, folks who have already said they want to live here.”
