By Conrad Easterday
Washita Valley Weekly Editor

Chapter 17 of the Disabled American Veterans has given aid to Chickasha’s veterans since 1932, an unbroken record of service that no other Oklahoma chapter can match. A respectable number attend the chapter’s monthly meetings in a former courtroom downtown. They still raise funds and use them to help veterans. Members regularly call on state legislators and regulators to advocate for veterans causes. They offer counseling, recreation and fellowship ­­— all the things expected from a dedicated service organization.
But the otherwise active chapter is combating a challenge faced by many service groups. Gray hair dominates the 50 or so veterans on its membership rolls.
“I’ve been the commander for six years, and this has been the problem from the start, getting the younger people to join in,” Chapter Commander Daryl Nicholas explained. “I understand why. When I came back from Vietnam, I didn’t have a job. These guys, some of them don’t have jobs.”
Although its monthly meetings have lengthy agendas, including roll call, treasurer’s report and committee reports to name a few, the “Applications for Membership” item is too often blank. But Chapter 17 is working to change that on a number of fronts.
Many of the services provided by the DAV are aimed at those veterans returning from more recent wars around the globe, and although “disabled” is in the organization’s name, being disabled is not a requirement for membership or assistance, Nicholas said.
“Our mission is to help veterans with service work, spouses too and, in some cases, the children,” Nicholas said. “Anything to help the veterans. It’s not just for the disabled.”
Having younger members in their ranks will help ensure the organization keeps providing services in the coming decades. He encouraged all veterans, especially the more recent generations, to contact the DAV about joining.
“The younger people. It’s all about them. The older guys need to be replaced,” he said, laughing.
The organization joined the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce for the first time this year in an effort to widen its reach and take advantage of the programs the Chamber offers.
The DAV is already partnered with a number of Chickasha businesses, including Two Vets Clothing Co. owned by Mayor-elect Zach Grayson. Storefronts such as Two Vets keep donation jars on their counters. Many of them are restaurants and grocery stores, Nicholas said. Others, such as Walmart, donate to DAV projects and drawings.
They have just ordered 200 military and patriotic themed charm bracelets that will be available for purchase in about four weeks. Those will be available at the DAV chapter and participating businesses in the area.
The recent donation of a unique items has the membership discussing how best to take advantage. It has the potential to earn a significant amount for the veterans group, Nicholas said. Plans will be announced in the coming weeks.
The money that comes in from such fundraisers also goes out into the community. Chapter 17 recently distributed $5,000 to seven Veterans Administration homes for their athletic funds.
A new project is in the planning stages now. The Veterans Memorial at Shannon Springs will receive new lighting courtesy of the DAV. Sherri Lewis, spouse of Senior Vice Commander Johnny Lewis is in charge of the project, Nicholas said.
Nicholas is supported in his role as commander by a core of other chapter officers including:
Senior Vice Commander Johnny Lewis
Junior Vice Commander Jimmy Boggess
Adjutant Tommy Howell
Delane Scarbrough
Howell serves as the chapter’s point man at the Capitol in Oklahoma City. Nicholas said his efforts make him more important than higher ranking officers.
The DAV’s downtown location also houses the local VFW Post. The groups are not rivals.
“We’re here to do the same things,” Nicholas said. “We’re here to help the veterans.”
Nicholas understands much of what his brothers in arms have experienced during their years in the military. He spent his decades of service on aircraft carriers, serving two tours during the Vietnam War, and only recently felt able to talk about it.
“We’re here for them if they need counseling,” he said. “We’re not professional counselors, but we know where they’ve been.”
Nicholas, who crossed the Equator three times during his military career, was aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise when an explosion near the aircraft carrier’s fantail ignited a blaze that turned every crew member into a firefighter.
The operator of a “huffer,” a motorized cart that uses hot air to start jet engines, accidentally pointed its exhaust at heat-seeking missiles. They exploded, and the resulting fire set off more ordnance. Fighting the fire, Nicholas at one point found himself in water up to his chest as well as things that “a 19-year-old should never have to see.”
The chapter is located at 101 N. 6th St. Veterans or donors can contact them by phone at 405-448-5110 during office hours Wednesday and Friday.