Joey Strickland

Joey Strickland is an American military officer. He retired from the Army after 29 years, and became Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services, then became Veterans Affairs Secretary for the state of Louisiana.

Joey Strickland
BornArkansas, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
UnitLouisiana State Guard
AwardsLegion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (2)
Air Medal (3)

Childhood

Strickland is a Choctaw-Cherokee.[1] He graduated from high school in 1966 and went directly into the Army.[2]

Career

Strickland served 28.9 years in the U.S. Army, including two combat tours of duty in Vietnam.[3][4] In 1994, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and was later appointed Colonel in the Louisiana State Guard by Governor Mike Foster, while serving on the Governor's Military Advisory Board.[5]

Strickland was Director of the Louisiana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs from January 1996 to August 2004.[1][2]

He was executive director of Veterans Affairs in Louisiana.[2]

He was president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs from 2003 to 2004.[2]

Arizona Department of Veterans' Services

Strickland was appointed director of the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services by Janet Napolitano in July 2008.[6] He served until April 2013. Strickland was asked to resign by Governor Jan Brewer, and the forced resignation caused an uproar amongst state veterans, who held Strickland in high regard.[6][7] Under Strickland, the Department built a new veterans home in Tucson and renovated the one in Phoenix.[2]

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs

Strickland served as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee for Minority Veterans[8] and as President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) from 2003-2004.[8] As NASDVA President, he testified on behalf of Veterans issues before the U.S. Congress.[9] Governor John Bel Edwards appointed him Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs on Jan. 13, 2016.[5]

As Veterans Affairs Secretary, he is responsible for overseeing five Veterans Homes, four State Veterans Cemeteries, the department's Parish Service Offices, the Administrative, Contact Assistance, and Claims Divisions, the Military Family Assistance Fund, the Veterans Honor Medal Program, and outreach initiatives for Veterans Service Organizations, homeless, incarcerated and female veterans. Strickland served for more than 15 years as either Director or Deputy Secretary in two states; Louisiana and Arizona.[5]

Awards

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Air Medal (3rd award), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 7 battle stars, Airborne Medal and Overseas Ribbon.[9]

Personal life

Strickland married Leila Hiestand Strickland. They are the parents of three sons and twin daughters.

References
  1. Mangus, Cherokee (18 August 2008). "Group teams up to honor military service women". News From Indian Country. ProQuest 367353431.
  2. Rookhuyzen, David (23 July 2012). "White House lauds veterans director for military service, aid". Arizona Republic. ProQuest 1027560273.
  3. Roberts, Laurie (6 April 2013). "Veterans want their champion back". Arizona Republic.
  4. "Joey Strickland". 22 May 2012.
  5. "About Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs".
  6. Lemons, Steven (11 April 2013). "Brewer Flips Off 600,000 Military Vets in Arizona by Axing Colonel Joey Strickland". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  7. Collom, Lindsey (4 April 2013). "Veterans agency chief steps down over hiring". Arizona Republic. ProQuest 1323867388.
  8. "Joey strickland". The White House.
  9. "LDVA Secretary Joey Strickland". www.louisianabulldog.com.
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