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Message Women Veterans ProgramQuaerly NewsleerMarch-May 2024

Oklahoma Woman Veteran in the Spotlight, meetBrandi RectorBrandi Rector's remarkable journey from the heartland of Indiana to the forefrontof the aviation industry embodies a narrative of resilience, groundbreakingachievement, and exemplary leadership. Her career arc, from serving withdistinction in the Marine Corps to establishing the rst female veteran-ownedhelicopter ight school in the country, Semper Fly Helicopters, illustrates not justpersonal triumph but also a steadfast commitment to innovation and service.Brandi's tenure in the Marine Corps commenced in 2008, where she excelled asan aerial gunner and helicopter mechanic/quality assurance specialist on theCH53E, culminating in 2014 after two impactful deployments. This foundation ofdiscipline, expertise, and leadership in high-pressure environments seamlesslytransitioned into her civilian career. After her military service, Brandi brieycontributed to Sikorsky, enriching her aerospace knowledge, before pursuing hertrue passion for ying.Determined to soar to new heights, Brandi embarked on an educational andprofessional quest that led her to Saint Louis University. There, she not onlypursued a bachelor's degree in Aeronautics but also graduated magna cumlaude, a testament to her dedication and intellectual prowess. Balancing herrigorous academic schedule, Brandi simultaneously honed her practical skills asan A&P mechanic for Trans States Airlines and achieved her Certied FlightInstrument Instructor rating through Midwest Helicopter.Brandi's journey took a pivotal turn upon her selection by Customs and BorderProtection as an air enforcement agent, further solidifying her role insafeguarding the nation. However, the subsequent loss of her father to cancermarked a period of the darkest period of her life, facing homelessness and aprofound search for purpose. Demonstrating unwavering resilience, Brandiemerged from this adversity to join General Atomics as a sensor operator onUAVs. Yet, the unpredictability of life struck again with a layoff during the COVIDpandemic, propelling her towards achieving a master’s degree in AppliedIntelligence from Georgetown University.In a serendipitous twist of fate, Brandi’s path led her to Texas alongside herpartner, Michael Sanford. February 2021 marked a signicant milestone as theyacquired Skyhunter Outtters. However, Brandi’s entrepreneurial spirit soaredbeyond this venture. Brandi and Mike envisioned and brought to life Semper FlyHelicopters in the summer of 2023, not just as another business, but as a beaconof innovation and education in the aviation sector.Semper Fly Helicopters stands as a testament to Brandi's visionary leadershipand commitment to breaking new ground. As Oklahoma's rst helicopter ightschool attached to a university, and notably the country's rst female veteran-owned ight school, Semper Fly Helicopters is pioneering a path for the nextgeneration of aviators. This initiative not only bridges academia and industry butalso embodies Brandi’s dedication to empowering individuals through educationand opportunity.Today, Brandi Rector is celebrated not merely for her achievements but as asymbol of resilience, innovation, and transformative leadership. Her journey fromthe military to the pinnacle of the aviation education sector continues to inspire,underscoring the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream and the profoundimpact of turning those dreams into reality.Brandi Rector - USMC VeteranTrailblazer, Veteran, and Visionary in Aviation

Oklahoma Woman Veteran in the Spotlight, meetLaRue GuoladdleUnited States Army 10 yrs. – United States Army Reserves RetiredLaRue went to basic training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina in November 1988.Advanced Training as a 31L – Wire Systems Installer, was at Ft. Gordon, Georgia.Her 1st Duty Station was with the 7th Signal Brigade at Mannheim Germany.They extended her tour due to Desert Storm. At that time her unit spent time onguard duty for Coleman Barracks. She then went to the Big Red One at Ft. Riley,Kansas with Charlie Company, 121st Signal Battalion. She then went overseas toKorea with the 307th Signal Battalion and went back stateside to the 40th SignalBattalion at Ft Huachuca, Arizona. She served a total of 10 years on active duty.Ten years later she re-enlisted with the Army Reserves as a 92F – PetroleumSpecialist or Fueler. She was with the 910th Quartermaster, out of Ada,Oklahoma. As of March 2022, she is ocially out of the U.S. Army Reserves andis currently working with the Kiowa Tribe as the Director of the Tribes VeteransOce, she also is an accredited Service Ocer representative and will be able toprocess claims for her fellow native military brothers and sisters. The ocecurrently assists all veterans, their spouses with VA claims in the lower SWOklahoma area. This also includes ride to appointments, funerals, participating inall military events and supporting all veterans. Future endeavors include ahomeless shelter as well as establishing a safe environment for Veterans withPTSD.LaRue Guoladdle - US Army Reserves Retired

VETEVETERANRANS S JOBJOB CLCLUBUBApriAprill 1010thth, 2024 , 2024 12:3012:30 pmpm WWororkshkshopop–– 2:30 pm2:30 pm EmEmplployeroyer Intros Intros––FoFor r momorere infoinformrmaatition,on, cocontantact ct CaCasi si MaMartirtin, n, NoNorthrtheeaast st AreAreaa MaMananagegerr..405405 764764 4721 4721 -- -- | | CaCassi.Mi.Maartin@rtin@oeoesc.sc.ok.gok.govovEMPLOYEMPLOYERS ERS AATTENDING TTENDING INCLUDE:INCLUDE: TTuullsa sa TTeacheachersers CrediCreditt UnUniiononTTuullsa sa TTransiransittNOVNOV: Gl: Globalobal EnEnergyergy ServServiicescesMeMeet et wwitith h ememplployers oyers oneone-- -one -one ffoor r ememploployment yment oppopportuortunitienities s andand netwnetworkorkinging. . ononComeCome dressed ready dressed ready to into interview,terview, wiwith th ccopiopies es ofof your resume your resume oon hand.n hand.EvEveentnt is is oopepen n toto aactivctivee oor r tratransitnsitioioning ning sseervrviceice mememmbebers, rs, GuaGuard rd aandnd ReReseservrvee mememmbebers, rs, vveeteterraans, ns, aand nd sspopouseuses.s.OklOklahoahomma Wa Woorrksks1400214002 E. 21st E. 21st St, Suite 825St, Suite 825TTululsasa, , OK 741OK 7413434Please rPlease regegisisterter ususing the QR Code ing the QR Code oror at aththttps://wwwtps://www..eventcreventcreate.com/eate.com/e/vet-joe/vet-job-clb-clubub-tul-tulsa02sa02

The recent enactment of The recent enactment of has has the July 1, 2023, the July 1, 2023, SB1215 SB1215 rem o vedrem o ved deadline for any 100% permanently disabled veterans or their deadline for any 100% permanently disabled veterans or their surviving spouses to be eligible for their annualsurviving spouses to be eligible for their annual Sales Sales TTax Exemptionax Exemption *if previously registered and denied by OTC*if previously registered and denied by OTC *Some *Some VVeterans & Surviving Spouses eterans & Surviving Spouses WWill Be Mailed Theirill Be Mailed Their New Cards New Cards Automatically! Automatically! NNo Fo Further urther AAction If:ction If: • • Veteran and/or surviving spouse submitted Veteran and/or surviving spouse submitted registry verification letters to the Oklahoma Tax registry verification letters to the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC), but were denied new Commission (OTC), but were denied new Exemption Cards because they missed the Exemption Cards because they missed the registration deadline of July 1, 2023. registration deadline of July 1, 2023. • • Veteran and/or surviving spouse filed a protest Veteran and/or surviving spouse filed a protest or requested a hearing in response to the denial or requested a hearing in response to the denial letter for new Exemption Cards. letter for new Exemption Cards. TTo Registo Register:er: • • To register with the Oklahoma Veterans RegistryTo register with the Oklahoma Veterans Registry, , please visit: please visit: https://registry.odva.ok.https://registry.odva.ok.gov/registrationgov/registration • • Once registered, to request your Sales Tax Exemp-Once registered, to request your Sales Tax Exemp-tion Letter, please visit: tion Letter, please visit: www.oklahomaveteransregistry.comwww.oklahomaveteransregistry.com Submissions for processing with OTSubmissions for processing with OTC can be C can be made via mail, electronically omade via mail, electronically on OKTap, n OKTap, oror inin-- person at the Taxpayer Resource Center.person at the Taxpayer Resource Center. Mail to:Mail to: Oklahoma Tax Commission Oklahoma Tax Commission Attn: Registration Attn: Registration Oklahoma City, OK 73194Oklahoma City, OK 73194 OKTap:OKTap: https://oktap.tax.ok.gov/oktap/Web/_/https://oktap.tax.ok.gov/oktap/Web/_/ Taxpayer Resource Center:Taxpayer Resource Center: 300 N Broadway Ave 300 N Broadway Ave Oklahoma City, OK 731Oklahoma City, OK 7310202 Senate Bill 1215 TSenate Bill 1215 Talking Points alking Points

OOKKCC VVAA HHeeaalltthhCCaarree SSyysstteemmVeteVeteransrans Cof Coffee fee SociSocials als enhaenhance nce commcommunicunicatioation ann and fod fosterster bon bonds ads amongmongVeteVeteransrans, Se, Servicrvice Mee Membermbers, ts, theirheir fam familieilies/cas/caregiregiversvers a and snd supporupporterters ins in the thecommcommunitunity. Ty. They hey are are a pla place ace to mto meet eet friefriends,nds, fin find red resoursources,ces, and and hav have fue fun win withthotheother Ver Veteraterans ans and cnd commuommunitynity mem membersbers. . QuesQuestiontions? Cs? Contacontact: bt: bryanryan.ric.rich@vah@va.gov.govScan for other locationsScan for other locationshttps://tinyurl.com/OKVeteranCoffeeSocialhttps://tinyurl.com/OKVeteranCoffeeSocial1st1st Tuesday Tuesday of the month of the month 0800-0930 0800-0930 251 S Harrah Rd. 251 S Harrah Rd. HARRAHHARRAH , OK 73045 , OK 730453rd3rd of the month of the month ThursdayThursday0900-10300900-10302208 SW 104th 2208 SW 104th MOOREMOORE, OK 73159, OK 73159

CommunicCommunicatiations & Pons & Publicublic Aff Affairsairs April 5, 2024 April 5, 2024 FOR IFOR IMMEDIMMEDIATE RELEATE RELEASASE:E: ContContact: Ract: Rep. Davidep. David Smit Smithh Phone: (405) 557Phone: (405) 557-7376 -7376 Smith tSmith to Host Seco Host Second Veteond Veterans Campoutrans Campout OKLAHOMA CITY OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar, is holding – Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar, is holding a Veterans Campout June 1-a Veterans Campout June 1-2 at 2 at the Scipio Campground, 4701 Nthe Scipio Campground, 4701 N Four Corners Road, McAlester. Four Corners Road, McAlester. The event is free of chargeThe event is free of charge. It is endorsed by the Oklahoma Dep. It is endorsed by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs artment of Veterans Affairs (ODVA).(ODVA). Smith, an Army veteran, Smith, an Army veteran, said any vetersaid any veteran in the state and their family memberan in the state and their family members or supporters are s or supporters are invited to attend the campinvited to attend the campout, the second he's held. The eventout, the second he's held. The event he hosted in 2022 drew he hosted in 2022 drew severseveral al hundred veterans and their familihundred veterans and their families from across the state.es from across the state. "Our community loves our veterans, and this "Our community loves our veterans, and this is just a way for us to recogniis just a way for us to recognize their service and ze their service and dedication," Smith said. "I want to give thededication," Smith said. "I want to give them a place they can come and relm a place they can come and relax, have some fun,ax, have some fun, enjoy some free food and get to heaenjoy some free food and get to hear from other veterans as a way r from other veterans as a way to thank them and encourage to thank them and encourage them in ththem in their daieir daily livesly lives."." Keynote speakers are Brig. Gen. ChristophKeynote speakers are Brig. Gen. Christopher A. Eason with the Oklahoma Airer A. Eason with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, National Guard, and Col. Chris Kannady, wand Col. Chris Kannady, who serves as the ho serves as the deputy state staff judgdeputy state staff judge advocate for the Oklahoma e advocate for the Oklahoma Air NatioAir National Gunal Guard asard as wel well as a stl as a state repate represenresentattative.ive. The 45th Infantry Division also is plThe 45th Infantry Division also is planning to be a part of the weekend as is anning to be a part of the weekend as is Erica Traxler, Erica Traxler, Commander of the VFW Department of OklCommander of the VFW Department of Oklahoma, and the nonprahoma, and the nonprofit Flagpoles Honoring our ofit Flagpoles Honoring our VeterVeterans.ans. Lunch and dinner Saturday, and breakfLunch and dinner Saturday, and breakfast Sunday will be provided. Entast Sunday will be provided. Entertainment is planned for ertainment is planned for Saturday night as well as activities Saturday night as well as activities and prizes throughout thand prizes throughout the campout. There are some RV spots e campout. There are some RV spots availabavailable, bule, but theyt they are fir are firstst-come, first-served. Tent camping is encouraged. A s-come, first-served. Tent camping is encouraged. A sunrise church unrise church service will be preached Sunday morning by Pservice will be preached Sunday morning by Pastor Bart Patterson.astor Bart Patterson. RSVPs are appreciated byRSVPs are appreciated by calling David Smith (405) 557 calling David Smith (405) 557-7376 or emailing -7376 or emailing David.smith@okhouse.govDavid.smith@okhouse.gov. . Sponsors include Sam Wampler of FreedSponsors include Sam Wampler of Freedom Ford in McAlester, reom Ford in McAlester, real estate agent Kevin Beaty of al estate agent Kevin Beaty of Keller Williams SEOK, aKeller Williams SEOK, and Pruett Food Stores. Tulsnd Pruett Food Stores. Tulsa Trail Riders is donating the campgroundsa Trail Riders is donating the campgrounds for the evefor the event. nt. -- --ENDEND