Hofmeister, Veterans Blast Stitt for Removing Co-Chairs of Oklahoma Veterans Affairs Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY – Just a day after Governor Kevin Stitt fired the co-chairs of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission, Joy Hofmeister is outlining her plans for veterans services – and calling the governor out for disrespecting career military men right before the July 4 holiday. 

Hofmeister is challenging Stitt for the state’s highest office, and is standing against the governor’s record of self-dealing and cronyism. 

“As a member of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission for Oklahoma, serving Oklahoma’s veterans and their families has been top of mind for me. Stitt’s firing of career military veterans as we celebrate their service over the July 4 holiday is an affront to all service men and women,” Hofmeister said. “Larry Van Schuyver, an Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and General Pete Costilow, a Vietnam veteran, have served our country honorably. They deserve our deepest gratitude; instead Kevin Stitt showed them the door.”

As governor, Hofmeister will fight efforts to privatize veterans centers – something Kevin Stitt wants. 

“Veterans who have fought for all of us deserve the highest level of care and service in return,” Hofmeister said. “That duty shouldn’t be awarded to the highest bidder, nor should veterans services incentivize profit over care. We have to fight for better facilities and better resources just as veterans have fought for us. Once again Stitt is playing political games over finding real solutions for critical veterans’ issues like PTSD, homelessness and suicide prevention.” 

“Firing a combat wounded veteran without cause is a low bar even for Kevin Stitt. I was proud to serve Oklahoma veterans and I’ll continue to fight for the services they deserve despite the governor’s political retribution,” said Retired Master Chief Larry Van Schuyver, ousted chair of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission.  # # #