VETERANS SERVING VETERANS
STORIES AND PHOTOS BY TONI HOPPER
AMVETS Post 11 officers and members are changing the way people think about a post or seeking assistance for a veteran. Having a new building has helped.
Fresh coffee, plenty of chairs to sit upon and visual eye candy in the brochures, posters, memorabilia, Bibles and framed newspaper clippings add a warmth of familiarity for those entering. Service is the Post’ s best attribute.
The grand opening was held Aug. 3, 2025, in what was a local landmark, The Old Bus Station Cafe, at 126 S. 10th St. Officially chartered in 1983, AMVETS( American Veterans) organization has been serving Duncan and the surrounding communities since 1954 in other locations. On that day, Bill Straily, who was 2nd Vice Commander and Public Relations spokesperson, said they had 138 members. They had a goal to reach 150 by the end of 2025. Current 2nd VC Desiree Miller said they have reached that a few times, but some members have died. As of early June, there were 158 members. The new goal is to reach 200 members.
Commander Robert Hall said they were seeing about 12 people a month, assisting them with filing disability claims, and other questions.
” Now we’ re seeing around 100 a month,” he said. Most of those are elderly or older veterans.“ The young veterans haven’ t realized they need anything yet. But the older guys are starting to realize, hey, if I can get an extra $ 2,000 a month, I can live better. I can buy groceries and medicine and stuff. That’ s huge right there. We’ ve advanced dozens and dozens of them from collecting $ 400 a month Social Security to collecting $ 4,500 a month.”
Veterans coming in to get assistance for disability claims has been life changing, considering many just need basic services, like electricity and water. Hall said a veteran can be disabled, still work and receive benefits.
“ One guy came in here crying one day and he said, you know, you totally changed my life. He said, before, if I wanted a donut, I had to come up here and get it from you. Now if I want a donut, I can go buy me a donut anytime I feel like,” Hall said.
They have been able to help people from other counties and even from out-of-state.
“ Some of these people who come in, the older people, they were just living off Social Security, basically. Some people draw on full veteran benefits with no Social Security. I’ ve got 20-year-olds that draw full benefits,” Hall said.
The younger veterans aren’ t eligible for Social Security because of the age requirement. Hall said there are many benefits veterans are not even aware exist.
“ If a veteran is rated at 100 % and he lives 10 years after getting his 100 % rating and dies, then his wife can continue drawing his disability,” he said.
Assisting veterans through the process of getting their benefits is just one of the many services. Answering questions covers the gamut- from assisted living care centers to burial services. There’ s a federal registry in which veterans can get on for burial, Hall said. And this applies to those who didn’ t get assigned during service.“ Because there’ s a lot of proud people out there. They’ ll say,‘ I didn’ t go anywhere. I don’ t deserve it.’ You raised your hand. If they didn’ t send you, that’ s their fault, not yours. That way you’ ve got a slot saved for you. You don’ t get to go over there and pick out, I want to be put right here. But you can get buried in any national cemetery because you’ ve got a reservation.”
Events hosted in the last year range from golf tournaments to educational outreach seminars. The Post hosted“ Takes a Village to Combat Veteran Suicide,” featuring speakers, classes and a roundtable. Hall said that will be an annual event, held in January.“ The suicide rate got pretty high for veterans for a while. We’ re trying to get that back down and it is. We got it down from 22 % to 17 %, nationwide.” They take many successful ideas and apply them locally.
In September, there will be a Veterans Resource Fair, Sept. 17.“ Bridging the Gap Between Veterans, Seniors and Resources.” It will be from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. at the Post.
AMVETS was founded in 1944 and officially chartered by Congress of the United States in 1947. If you are a veteran needing assistance or a place to connect with fellow veterans, AMVETS Post 11 is open 10 a. m. to noon, Monday and Friday, or you can call 580-786- 4865.