By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Yukon military veterans and their families who need help accessing Veterans Administration benefits are reminded that a helping hand is close to home – right on Main Street.
The Yukon Veterans Museum, 1010 W Main, provides a VA “service day” from 9 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday each month.
A two-time Bronze Star recipient shared problems he’s had with Oklahoma City’s VA during public discussion at a recent Yukon City Council meeting.
“I’ve had nothing but trouble with the OKC VA,” the local veteran told Yukon city leaders.
Ward 3 Council Member Donna Yanda reminded residents that the Yukon Veterans Museum has staff available at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday to “help all veterans” navigate the process to obtain VA benefits and work through any challenges they have.
Cacini, founder and curator of the Yukon Veterans Museum, told Yukon-area veterans and their spouses seeking veterans’ benefits to stop by on the VA service day.
“We help them get their paperwork in,” he said. “You have to do the paperwork. The government does not do anything without paperwork.
“Many of our veterans get overwhelmed with paperwork. They don’t realize you’ve got to ‘dot the i’s and cross the t’s’, and you’ll get your money.”
Veterans also are invited to the Yukon Veterans Museum on the service day to enjoy fresh-brewed coffee while visiting with fellow vets.
Yukon’s Bob Reynolds and his veteran-run coffee company, Scars & Stripes, is there to serve coffee to local military heroes.
‘TAKING CARE’ OF VETERANS
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. (ret.) Cacini thanked Yukon residents for supporting and “taking care” of veterans.
“We appreciate this community because they always go that extra step,” said Cacini, who served 40 years in the U.S. Army and 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. “My family was always cared for during all those trips I was deployed. And I appreciate it.”
At the city council meeting, Cacini commended City of Yukon officials and employees for presenting the annual “Tribute to Veterans” on July 3 at Chisholm Trail Park, 500 W Vandament.
The Yukon Veterans Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Tours are available by appointment outside those hours.
The museum will host a ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 for Yukon Main Street’s third annual “Yukon Salutes” banner project.
For more information about the VA service day at the Yukon Veterans Museum, call (405) 517-1901 or (405) 514-6794.
