Smith Hosts Veterans PTSD Awareness Campout

Provided by State of Oklahoma House of Representatives

Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar, is sponsoring the First Annual Veterans PTSD Awareness Campout April 1-3 at Scipio Campground in Scipio, OK. The event is endorsed by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA).

"Many of our veterans come home from service to our country suffering from PTSD and other health- and mental-health related effects," Smith said. "Veteran suicide rates are also very high. I worked with people from southeast Oklahoma to pull together an event that will give our veterans and their family members some needed support."

Smith, an Army veteran,  said any veteran in the state and their family members are invited to attend this first annual campout. He hopes the event will grow in the future.

The 45th Infantry Division will have a special display for veterans and their family members. Guest speakers include Tracy Markum of Alpha Warriors Ministries; Army veteran Michael Coon, who is spearheading efforts to end veteran suicides; U.S. Sen. James Lankford; Joel Kintsel, executive director of ODVA; and House Speaker Charles McCall.

RSVP by March 29 by calling David Smith (918) 429-5334 or (918) 429-8943.

Dinner will be included Friday night; breakfast, lunch and dinner Saturday; and breakfast Sunday.

Sponsors include Sam Wampler of Freedom Ford in McAlester, real estate agent Kevin Beaty of Keller Williams SEOK, Pruett Food Stores, the VFW Eufaula Chapter, Scipiotrails.org and the Force 50 Foundation.

David Smith serves District 18 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Coal County and parts of Hughes, McIntosh and Pittsburg counties.