OKMULKE, Oklv. – Native and non Native military veterans in the Okmulgee community and surrounding areas came out to explore the many opportunities and services provided at the Stand Down event hosted by the Muscogee Veterans Affairs Office and Muscogee Reintegration. The resource fair event was held Sept. 18 at the Mvskoke Dome. Various MCN and outside departments and services came out to dress booths with giveaways, hygiene kits and informational pamphlets.
MCN VASO Operations Officer Rachel Riddle (Mvskoke) is one of the event organizers responsible for serving those who have served. This year marked the second year for the Stand Down resource fair, last year’s was combined with a Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act event. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a stand down refers to “a relaxation status of a military unit or force from an alert or operational posture”. This year’s Stand Down event focused more on providing supplies and services to homeless veterans. This year the event handed out sleeping bags, mats and pop-up tents.
According to Riddle, the main goal of the event is to equip homeless veterans to be comfortable wherever they are living, especially during the looming colder months. Dental services and haircuts were also available. The number one challenge in serving veterans for Riddle and her department?
“Housing,” Riddle said. “Getting them to a safe place to stay at night where they can stay warm or cool and having that readily available for them when they come through our door.”
Riddle has worked for the VASO department for the last six years and has seen a lot of growth. Now the department hosts a tribal women’s summit, monthly coffee and donuts, as well as annual trips where veterans are taken to Washington D.C.
MCN Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Manager Tacia Berryhill is a Mvskoke veteran herself. For Berryhill, the stand down is more than just a resource fair, it’s a one-stop shop designed to make accessibility to services as easy as possible.
“It means a lot to have veterans to come,” Berryhill said. “A lot of veterans don’t like to go to different places and different avenues. It’s good for us to bring different agencies together so that way if a veteran needs assistance with multiple things, they can get that taken care of today.”
For some it can be challenging to ask for help, even when they are in need of it. As a veteran, Berryhill can relate to that feeling. Her advice is to reach out, even if it takes courage.
“When in doubt, ask,” Beryhill said. “If you need assistance, you need help, we’re here for you. That might be looked down upon for veterans, especially Native veterans, but at some point and time ask for help because it will take you a long way.”
Riddle remarked that her office is seeking to reach out to as many Mvskoke veterans as possible, particularly women veterans. For more information about the department and the services it provides to Mvskoke veterans, visit their website, creekva.org. The office can be contacted by email, mcnveterans@mcn-nsn.gov, or by phone at 918-732-7739.
