LaForce named VIM of 2023
Local veteran Sherman Youngblood found himself in need of roofing assistance to remain safely in his home in the last couple of years. The Rembrandt Group of Sapulpa ultimately met his need.
Youngblood joined the military at age twenty-one and served for no less than twentyone years, including having served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and having been stationed in numerous places worldwide, before choosing Bristow as his home fifty-five years ago. He has lived in his current home for more than twenty years as time and Oklahoma’s weather degraded his roof.
Acknowledging his decades of service and in an effort to ensure Youngblood could remain in his home, members of Bristow American Legion Post 126 began an exhaustive months-long search of programs and grants to address his roofing needs; however, they soon learned no such assistance could be found. In fact, while programs abound to aid veterans with interior home needs and safety, no program existed for assistance with major exterior issues such as roofing repair or replacement. Fortunately, in a moment of what he termed a “God-given blessing”, Legion Adjutant Robert Mason stumbled upon the help Youngblood so desperately needed through Eagle OPS.
According to its website, www.eagleops.org, Eagle OPS “is a 501(c)3 organization committed to providing opportunities for veterans, veteran families and patriots to build relationships through social activities, fitness and volunteerism. Through these relationships, Eagle OPS is connecting veterans to resources and assisting in a
See Rembrandt, Page Three healthy transition home.” Eagle OPS also acts as a liaison between veterans who long ago transitioned home but require assistance with businesses and organizations seeking opportunities to assist veterans. Their latter purpose and a chance meeting provided for Youngblood’s roofing needs.
After months of searching for assistance to no avail, Mason connected with Johnathan Shepherd, “Shep”, of Eagle OPS. He described Youngblood’s immediate needs and the desperate and frustrating search he and other Legionnaires had conducted without success. Shep later connected Mason and Scott Ruckman of The Rembrandt Group.
According to Ruckman, the company’s business development manager, The Rembrandt Group is a general contractor able to complete a menagerie of construction projects, including roofing. In fact, they often complete roofing projects and were previously known as Rembrandt Roofing Specialists.
Ruckman noted that he, with Justin Allen, owner, and Garrett Thomas, operations manager, desired to assist veterans, honoring them by serving them in ways that help meet their needs. Together, they created the Rembrandt Outreach Military Assistance Program and planned to choose one veteran each quarter to aid. Allen generously funds the projects. Ruckman also noted that it was during a conversation with Shep about their desire to assist veterans when he first learned of Youngblood’s roofing needs.
Although The Rembrandt Group is willing to take on a variety of construction projects that will help veterans, Ruckman stated they hope to focus on meeting roofing needs given the lack of programs to cover such significant projects, saying “We know those issues need to be addressed for veterans to be safe in their homes, and we want to take them on.” Upon learning of Youngblood’s situation, the group chose him as their first Rembrandt Outreach Military Assistance Program project recipient.
Following two weeks of planning and being delayed by inclement weather, Ruckman and his crew of six drove to Youngblood’s home and worked for thirteen hours last Thursday. The roof was covered in multiple layers of shingles, resulting in additional weight sitting atop rotting decking in many places. The crew repaired and replaced about a quarter of the roof ’s decking and installed a complete roofing system, including correcting the ventilation system. Ruckman stated they found too many vents in place, contributing to the rot situation. By 8 p.m. the crew had completed the project, cleaned the yard, and removed all waste and remaining product. Their dedication and hard work proved invaluable for a local veteran now able to remain safely in his home.
Although their new website, www.therembrandtgroup.com, remains under construction, Ruckman said that anyone will be able to nominate a veteran for their program once the site is completed. The Rembrandt Group services the 918 area code region. To check out some of the group’s work or connect with them to nominate a veteran, check out their current website and click the “contact” tab: www.rembrandtroofingspecialists. com.
Finally, Ruckman noted that he, Allen, and Thomas wish to express their gratitude to Eagle OPS and American Legion Post 126, saying “Without them, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to address Mr. Youngblood’s needs.” He concluded, saying “We’ve been blessed to do what we do, and we want to share that blessing. Our veterans served for us. It’s our opportunity to serve them now.”