NEW PROGRAM HELPS VETERANS WHO FACE CHANGES IN LIFE

The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is starting a new program to help make the transition back into a day-to-day life easier.

The program shows veterans all the great things our state could offer and helps people learn about all the resources available here in Oklahoma, from anywhere in the world.

Robert Cole hangs out at the coffee bunker once a week and says the coffee bunker is one of the places that helped him get back on his feet.

Cole said “programs like this are necessary because at times veterans feel forgotten”.

Randall Coon, with the ODVA says the new transition program is to be a one-stop shop for service members and veterans to help them discover what makes Oklahoma a great place to live.

“We provide guidance and direction for all service members whether you’ve been out one month, one year, ten years, it’s there,” Coon said.

The program helps veterans not just after they get out of the military, but is available for their entire lifetime, as their needs change over time.

Veterans have access to online, skill-based training with more than 5,000 topics.

“You talk to Vietnam veterans, and they talk about the way they were treated when they were brought home. I haven’t experienced anything of the kind and I feel this will go a long way towards that never happening to any other veteran that ever comes home from anything that happens in the future,” Cole said.

For more information about this program, click here.