Nice presents interim study on memorial markers for Oklahoma National Guard veterans
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Nikki Nice presented an interim study Thursday to the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on providing a benefit to help Oklahoma National Guard members cover the cost of a memorial marker. Nice advocated for the creation of a revolving fund to help families with the cost of a headstone or marker. Members who served at least six years, were honorably discharged, and were still living in Oklahoma at the time of their death would be eligible for the benefit.
Among those testifying before the committee was one of Nice’s constituents, retired Army Col. John Bilbury, who first approached her about the need to ensure a benefits gap was addressed. Bilbury told members that when his brother died, he assumed his 14 years in the Oklahoma National Guard would include a benefit to help with the cost of a marker, and was surprised to learn it didn’t.
“We learned that despite those many years of service and sacrifice to his community and state, because he’d never been part of a federal deployment, he didn’t qualify for a headstone or memorial marker,” said Nice, D-Oklahoma City. “When our service members take their oath, they commit their lives to defending our freedom. In return, we make a promise to care for them – not just during their active service, and not just in their post-military lives, but also when they are laid to rest.”
Nice presented a measure in the 2026 session providing a stipend to help cover a portion of the cost of a marker or headstone, but it didn’t make it all the way through the legislative process. During the interim study, she told committee members she’d spoken to the author of legislation approved in South Dakota in 2023 and believed such a program could be successfully implemented in Oklahoma.
“By analyzing their eligibility factors, administrative workflows, and fiscal impacts, we have the exact tools we need to build a sustainable, uniquely Oklahoma solution ahead for the 2027 session,” Nice said. “I want to thank Senator Brenda Stanley, chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, for agreeing to hear my study and those who attended and testified. I believe we have shown that we can be both fiscally responsible stewards of state tax dollars and fiercely dedicated advocates for our military families.”
-END-
For more information, contact: Sen. Nikki Nice at 405-521-5531 or Nikki.Nice@oksenate.gov
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
