Saint Eugene Catholic Church in Oklahoma City honored military veterans Jan. 6 and offered each a chance to give back to their community by helping a non-profit group.
This inaugural effort, called the “Faith and Allegiance Initiative,” was organized by parishioner John Wilson. He is a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Air Force. He also is an administrator with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs where he works with mental health programs. Wilson first got the idea for the outreach about four months ago and presented it to parish officials.
Wilson said the effort helps vets readjust to civilian life.
"This provides vets a path of service and allows them to serve something bigger than themselves," Wilson said. "Serving a bigger cause than themselves is what they experienced in the military."
Toward the end of each Mass, Wilson spoke to parishioners and asked veterans as well as active military personnel, to stand for recognition. He outlined the “Faith and Allegiance Initiative” and invited veterans, their families and others to Saint Eugene’s Ross Hall to meet representatives from various groups.
Among the groups was the American Red Cross, which was represented by Garrett Blomquist, Rebecca McGary and Tony Hill. Each are veterans. The Red Cross is involved heavily in helping military families and veterans. They run a Hero Care Network, which provides emergency communications and support to military medical facilities.
McGary noted the Red Cross had done a clothing drive recently for homeless vets in the metro.
Hill estimated there are many vets on the street needing help.
He said vets volunteering with the Red Cross benefit from working with others who understand the military and the jargon associated with the armed forces.
"You're never really out of the military," he said.
Also represented was the Saint Eugene council of the Knights of Columbus. Steve Nixon, an Army veteran, recommended the Knights for volunteer service.
"There are a lot of vets out there, and programs like the Knights can help," he said. The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, fraternal service organization.
Janis Dozier, with Habitat for Humanity, said one retired vet visited her booth Sunday and was a retired homebuilder.
"That's someone we can really use," she said. Habitat is a non-profit organization that helps economically disadvantaged people build or improve a home. She said the group has built more than 900 homes in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.
Saint Eugene pastor Father Don Wolf said he enjoyed seeing vets visit the various booths. He said the groups provided an ideal opportunity for the former service members to serve and help their community.
Other organizations that participated included Catholic Charities, Heartline 211, Rufus the Comfort Dog, Saint Eugene Small Communities of Faith, Team Rubicon and the VA Health Care System Volunteer Services.
Steve Gust is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: U.S. Army veteran Tony Hill volunteers for the American Red Cross. He said the group is heavily involved in helping veterans as well as active military and their families. Hill was part of St. Eugene’s Faith and Allegiance Initiative on Jan. 6. Photo Steve Gust/Sooner Catholic.