If you are a veteran and are in need of assistance, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)  can normally lend you a hand or at least point you in the right direction for most situations.

Post 12103 in Lexington and Purcell or Post 4890 in Norman can lend you a hand for anything from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the two most common disorders from serving your country, tinnitus and sleep apnea.

Leaders of the Norman Post 4890 stopped by The Register recently to try to get the word out about the services they offer.

Norman’s Post Commander is Brett LaRoche, while Mark Atterson, who lives west of Purcell, is the Junior Vice Commander.

LaRoche and Atterson both agreed their organization is the best for helping veterans.

“We have a lot to say and a lot to offer veterans in the community,” LaRoche said.

And, if veterans live far away from a VA Clinic, the VA will pay the veteran mileage for the trek to and from the clinic.

There are several VA Clinics around the state including places like Muskogee, Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

In fact, the duo reported Norman is currently constructing a new full-service VA Clinic just west of what used to be Journey Church north of the Health-Plex and on the west side of I-35.

“Since the 1980s they’ve opened  up a lot of clinics to get the best health care available for veterans,” LaRoche said.

“We’re the boots on the ground,” Atterson said, “to support local veterans. And, you don’t have to be a member of the post to get assistance.”

Norman’s VFW Post has an annual budget of about $9,000 with 90 percent going to help veterans.

LaRoche gave a couple of examples: A local vet’s air conditioning unit went out at his house during the recent heat wave. He requested a window unit just for his bedroom.

“So we paid $350 for a window unit for him,” LaRoche said. “We make sure someone isn’t just making something up. We make sure they are in need.”

Another example was a widow of a veteran in Norman had run out of gas and was at a local convenience store. After inquiring how much she needed just to get home. So the VFW gave her $20 so she could get back to her house.

LaRoche said we want our veterans to understand what’s going on in Washington, D.C.

“We are not in the politics,” he confirmed. “We are a nonpartisan 501C3.”

There are over one million paid VFW members, which gives the suits in D.C. a seat at the table on Capital Hill.

One of the big issues at the capital is honoring the contract for veterans.

“Future veterans should not lose the ability to use tinnitus as a disability or things like sleep apnea,” LaRoche said. “Congress is trying to cut back on future disabilities. Future veterans should not lack for benefits because of paying for current veterans.”

The claims process for the VA used to take six, 10 to 12 months, the duo said. But now the process has been sped up instead of taking months and months to process a claim now its down to days and weeks.

Vets are to use veteran service officers or VSO, who are trained through the VA and are extremely knowledgeable.

“VSOs cut through the red tape,” LaRoche said.

The Norman Post has 108 paid members, they reported.

“Just our little post has helped veterans recoup over $1 million in reimbursements,” Atterson said.

Both men said for veterans seeking reimbursements to beware of ‘claim sharks’.

“It’s best if veterans need help to come to us,” LaRoche said. “Claim sharks will say they can help you but they will take percentage of the reimbursement. It’s best for them to come to us to get set up with a qualified VSO that can help them.”

LaRoche said claim sharks go after the toxic exposure things that come from each war.

“Like in Vietnam it was agent orange,” LaRoche said. “In Desert Storm it was burn pits and toxic oil. In other wars it was uranium dust. The VFW stays on top of this and talks to doctors.”

Other type of trauma can come from sexual battery for either gender.

The Phil Miller VFW Post 2205 in Denton, Texas houses a state-of-the-art esports and gaming suite created to support veteran mental health through the VFW Combat Tested Gaming initiative.

“That is a way to attract younger people,” LaRoche said. “They bought a bunch of computers and goggles that allow people to come in and play games.

“There was one veteran suffering from PTSD that was seriously thinking about harming himself.

“His story has involved military sexual trauma by a senior leader. The VA says that any veteran whether enrolled or not can call in and talk to counselors. There are people willing and able to get them to the right person.”

LaRoche said the gaming changed the veteran for the better, which is just one story among thousands the VFW can assist with.

Aside from their assistance for veterans, the VFW does a lot more with rewarding students, teachers, as well as our emergency services, law enforcement, fire fighters, EMS and more.

The Norman VFW meets in the conference room of the Red Lobster the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. usually gathering around 6 p.m.

Membership requirements for VFW hinges upon verified war or combat zone service.

The organization will have a booth at the Cleveland County Fair September 10-13.