In November of 2021, I wrote about the ugly way Governor Stitt replaced Oklahoma’s then Adjutant General, Michael Thompson. It certainly was NOT how to treat a veteran, especially one as honorable and distinguished as General Thompson. Unlike the Governor, the good General’s entire career has been focused on serving our state and our nation.

Sadly, here we go again!

Yesterday, the news broke that the Governor had dismissed two of his appointees to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission, Chairman Larry Van Schuyver, and Vice Chair Paul Costilow. Their dismissal came just 2 days after the June 28th primary where the Governor was challenged by the current director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA), Joel Kintsel.

The Legislature has made recent moves to let the Governor to hire/fire selected agency heads. However, the ODVA Director is not one of those positions. It is appointed by the Commission itself. However… and that’s a BIG HOWEVER… the members of the Commission all serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

According to a published report, the Governor’s team hinted in February that they wanted the Commission to fire Joel Kintsel. The reason? Not because he was underperforming - by all accounts Kintsel’s leadership has been exemplary. They wanted him fired because Kintsel chose to run for Governor. But Van Schuyver and Costilow ignored them.

To his credit, Director Kintsel took a leave of absence during his run for Governor.

Those involved believe the Governor’s moves are specifically to bring in people who will fire Kintsel.

I’ll end with this from Master Chief Van Schuyver

Today I got the phone call from Mc Stitt letting me know that I as Chairman and Co-Chairman General Pete Costilow were fired from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.

I got the cheerful call from his hatchet boy Chris Bruehl 405-424-8345. Governor office number is 405-522-8868.

This was done as retaliation against me for using my right as as citizen to support Director Joel Kintsel for Governor on my own time.

And fighting his ideal to privatize our veterans centers.

And not agreeing to fire the Director for his right to run for public office.

And not agreeing with Bond Payne his Chief of staff that Joel should be fired.

I will be seeking an Attorney to help me sue the Governor for Political Retaliation .