For exclusive UKB veterans, these meetings will bring support and services to those who have served.
By Lani Hansen | Senior Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla- On March 8, 2025, a veteran’s committee meeting took place at United Keetoowah Band Speedway under Coordinator Ahnee Christie-Vangen.
Vangen is one of the members of the UKB Honor Guard; she served in the U.S. Army during the Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, and Afghanistan eras. One of her main focuses for these meetings is not only helping the elder veterans but the younger ones in her generation who have served.
“This was our very first veterans committee meeting, but I think it went great,” Vangen said. “Since a lot of the veterans are older and heard about this meeting through word of mouth, I have to find a good communication form to bring in more veterans.”
Since this was the first meeting, it was more informal for Vangen so in the future she can bring in sources for what has been requested. She was able to refer a veteran to get in contact with Caleen Bolin at the new PRC program.
She said the meetings should make the veterans comfortable to be able to speak on what they need assistance with or even talk about what is on their mind. Vangen wants to get them to where they can feel comfortable talking to native people and non-natives in a public setting.
Other services that she will be bringing to next meetings will be someone from the Veteran’s Affair to help with filing claims, because most of them have trouble with their disability claims. She said at April’s meeting, she is bringing in a counselor who works at the Veteran’s Affair. She is also planning to invite a couple of service officers from the state.
“There is so much going on and things to be planned for our upcoming meetings,” Vangen said. “Hominy is trying to recruit more honor guard members for us, as we want to build the number of members up to 10 because right now there are only three of us.”
As of right now, the meetings will be held at the Speedway in Tahlequah, but she is hoping to branch out and host meetings in each district for those who are unable to drive to Tahlequah.
“I wanted to thank Betty Holcomb and her daughter for cooking our meal for us,” Vangen said. “We will have another meal at our next meeting; I think it’s great we have a big support from our community.”
The next UBK Veteran’s Committee Meeting will be on April 19th, at 5p.m. at the Speedway, 15882 Old US Hwy 62, Tahlequah, OK. These meetings are held for exclusive UKB veterans only. If you have any questions, contact, Ahnee Christie-Vangen at 539-777-3270.
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