Sen. Simpson honored by National Guard with Oklahoma Thunderbird medal – Daily Ardmoreite

Particular to The Ardmoreite

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Frank Simpson was not too long ago honored on the Senate flooring for his tireless help and legislative contributions to the Oklahoma Nationwide Guard throughout his tenure within the Senate. The Springer Republican was offered with the Oklahoma Thunderbird medal for “excellent service, achievement or contribution made in help of Oklahoma Nationwide Guard missions” by Oklahoma Adjutant Basic, Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino and Oklahoma Air Nationwide Guard Senior Enlisted Chief, Chief Grasp Sgt. Scott Irwin. The medal is the guard’s highest award offered to a civilian, and Simpson is the primary Senator to ever obtain it.

“This was a complete shock,” Simpson mentioned on the ground. “I’m not often puzzled however I can’t inform you how a lot I’ve loved the 12 years of serving with every of you on this chamber. The beauty of veterans laws is it’s bipartisan and everyone desires to assist our veterans, so it makes passing veterans’ payments fairly simple. I need to thank all of you for the help you’ve gotten proven for my fellow veterans, for our Nationwide Guard and for our women and men within the army right here in Oklahoma. It is a super, super honor.”

Throughout his practically twelve years within the Senate, the Navy veteran and chair of the Senate Veterans and Navy Affairs Committee has authored quite a few payments to assist help Oklahoma’s lively army, together with the Oklahoma Nationwide Guard, veterans, and their households. His laws offered a gross sales tax exemption for the spouses and widows of 100% disabled veterans, state veterans advantages to peacetime veterans, and non-institutional community-based look after growing older and/or terminally sick veterans who can not stay alone. His efforts have helped enhance companies on the Oklahoma Division of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) by strengthening company oversight in addition to coaching and training for veteran middle personnel. His work has additionally led to the institution of peer-supported veteran drop-in facilities statewide, one other state veterans cemetery, veteran and 100% disabled veteran designations on driver licenses, and a grant to make sure indigent veterans obtain a correct burial. Acquiring a better training can be extra inexpensive for veterans and army members because of his payments.

“Senator Simpson represents one of the best of public service each within the Oklahoma State Senate and the U.S. Navy,” Mancino mentioned. “It was a privilege to know and work with him over these previous 12 years.”