OKLAHOMA CITY –
Oklahomans celebrated a historic Veterans Day, which coincided with the 250th birthday year of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and 42 years since a government shutdown last overlapped with the holiday.
“One of the things that the government instituted many years ago is, even in the event of a government shutdown, that veterans’ benefits will continue to be paid,” said retired Air Force Col. Mustafa Koprucu, who organized a Veteran’s Day event in Edmond. “Most of all of the VA clinics are still open for any veteran that needs health care. And so, again: that is whether or not the government is up or down.”
While some agencies or services have been drastically impacted by the shutdown, impacts to the Veteran Affairs have largely been described by its Secretary as still operational.
A funding package that passed out of the U.S. Senate, now awaiting a vote in the House, would provide short-term funding for the entire government through the end of January.
But three separate items would provide full-year funding for select agencies. Veteran Affairs is one of the carve-outs.
“There’s not a lot of argument over veterans,” said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Kent. “It doesn’t matter where you’re at on the political spectrum.”
The House, which could vote as early as Wednesday on the package, needs to give its approval for the deal to be finalized.
“That’s really a blessing that they chose to fund that all year long,” Kent said about the bipartisan Senate-produced package.
Koprucu said Oklahoma has a strong system that supports federal services for veterans, and he credited local organizations for continuing to provide for their needs.
“It’s always been a pleasure being a veteran because the city is just incredibly supportive of us,” he said.
