OK County Clerk's Office hosts first annual Veterans Recognition Day

OKLAHOMA COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) - Forrest “Butch” Freeman served in the Air Force for almost 24 years before working as Oklahoma County’s Treasurer. 

"It's been quite some time now since I retired from the Air Force, but still, you're still reminded of it every day,” said Freeman. 

On Thursday, he was honored at the Oklahoma County Clerk Office’s first annual Veterans Recognition Day. 

"You continue to serve in a different way and we're just so appreciative of your service and partnership here at the county,” said Oklahoma County Clerk, Maressa Treat to Freeman. 

While at the office, Freeman filed his DD 214 form, or military discharge papers. 

"That's the proof that you served in the military,” said Freeman. “It's got everything most important from the date served to all of the awards and decorations that you may have received.” 

The form can help veterans and their families with things like employment, VA and burial benefits and disability claims. 

"It's your golden ticket,” said Treat. “You can take it in, and you can get everything that you need very quickly." 

Filing it with the county keeps it safe. 

"A number of years ago there was a major fire in St. Louis, and a tremendous number of military documents were destroyed,” said Freeman.

The free, confidential service also hits close to home for Treat, whose father served in Vietnam. 

"We love our veterans,” said Treat. "When you're going through maybe a loved one passing, you have a lot going on in life, and the last thing you need is to have to stress out about finding a really important piece of paper." 

Treat said the scanning and filing process should only take between five and 10 minutes.