The Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation (DKGVF) in Norman, Okla. is one of the top-10Veteran Service Organizations, as ranked by the Veterans Administration (VA). Their annual Vietnam era veterans event was held two days before the federally recognized National Vietnam War Veterans day on March 29. The IAM Union sent volunteers and a donation to help with this year’s event.
More than 100 Vietnam era veterans and their families were processed for help with VA benefits. Over 20 of the veterans were first time visitors to the DKGVF, some standing in line for hours before the event – which has become somewhat of a tradition.
“One event, we had 75 people in campers overnight to be first in line for help the next morning” said the Founder, Dale K. Graham. “I guess the word gets out that we do good work, and they are willing to line up to get it.”
The work that Graham and his rifle platoon-sized team of volunteers provide year-round involves providing expertise to help navigate the systems and processes necessary for nearly 8,000 clients to access the VA benefits earned during service.
The IAM Union sent in a three person team to support that platoon for this event.
“We are here to help and learn,” said Toni Buoy of the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department. “We want to learn from the best and this is one of the best run events we have witnessed, so we were glad to pitch in and help!”
IAM Veterans Services Program gained Veteran Service Organization (VSO) status in January of 2025. “We are just starting to stand up the VSO side of the Veterans Services Department, and we hope to learn a lot from Dale and his foundation,” said Bryan Stymacks, IAM Assistant Veterans Services coordinator.
“What these volunteers did today is what they love to do everyday,” said Taylor Poindexter, CEO of the Dale K. Graham Foundation. “They love helping veterans.”
The former military pilot gave a detailed report that shows the foundation has helped veterans nationwide claim over $450 million worth of benefits. In Oklahoma itself, 11,000 veterans are receiving nearly $28 million a month in VA benefits that were earned by military service; including education, home loan guarantees, health care, survivor and disability benefits.
“We are accredited by the VA, and we run a process so that only valid claims with proper evidence get to the system,” said Poindexter. “That makes the work easier for the VA, because when they see all the required material is there – it’s just a yes or no decision on the claim.”
“I am so proud of all the work that Rich Evans, Bryan Stymacks, and many other IAM Veterans have put into building our Veterans Services to benefit our members,” said James “Stretch” Little, IAM Director of Retirees and Membership Assistance. “Any time we can help others, and get a chance to learn how to make our services better, we are going to do that.”
Little volunteered to help on this event and was honored to work with U.S. Senate staffers to interview and record some veterans’ military service stories for the Library of Congress.
Back at Founder Dale K. Graham’s desk, he asks me if I need help with my own VA claim. I explain that I am already represented by Richard Evans of the IAM. “Nuff said,” said Graham. “You have a good one in that young man”.
Richard Evans, the IAM Veterans Services Coordinator since 2020, has helped more than 300 IAM members and their families receive more than $3 million in VA benefits. He’s not in Dale K. Graham’s neighborhood yet – but he is working on it!
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