TCC Helping Returning Soldiers

By Jeffrey Smith, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Family and Volunteers from around Green Country are welcoming returning soldiers with open arms.

Tulsa Community College hosted an open house to bring attention to VA benefits and resources.

More than 3,400 soldiers have returned to Oklahoma in the past month. When they get back to the homefront, Veterans Affairs officials say that's when their job begins.

Staff Sergeant Paul Sperry is picked up everything he can. Sperry says his days on active duty are numbered and he wants as much info as possible.

"You can come in here and go vender to vender to vender and see just what you have available to you," said Staff Sgt. Sperry.

"It's not something that's been given to them, it's something that they've actually earned," said VA Program Manager Nanette Waller.

Waller says informational events like the one at TCC help reintegrate local soldiers.  She says many veterans are surprised at how many opportunities are at their fingertips.

"How to get signed up for educationally benefits for school, service connected disability benefits. We can also help them out with that. We can help them get enrolled at the medical center so they can establish health care," said Waller.

And that's important for Sperry. On his second tour of duty in Iraq last year, his best friend lost his life and Sperry almost lost his.

"I just asked him if he wanted a water, and he turned around to get it, and stepped on this landmine and blew up in front of me. The explosion blew me back. I hurt my neck and my beck. Had to have my left shoulder repaired," said Sperry.

He says he's set-up with disability, health care, even unemployment. When he leaves the Army next month, he says he'll be knocking on opportunity's door.

Sperry says for his next career, he's looking into scholarships to go back to college to finish up his civil engineering degree or he might become a security officer with the TSA.