Jay Chock McDaniel, District #10, is the Choctaw Nation’s Veteran of the Month.
McDaniel, originally from Blackjack, Atoka County, graduated from Atoka High School in 1966. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1968 and completed Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA. He went on to Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla., for AIT Training.
He was stationed in Baumholder, Germany, where he served as a Gunner, then an Ammunition Sergeant and later a Radio Sergeant.
McDaniel returned to Fort Sill to attend helicopter school, spending one year there before returning to Schweinfurt, Germany, from 1971 to 1973.
He earned the National Defense Service Medal, a Marksman Badge with a .45 caliber weapon, and an Expert Badge with the M16.
McDaniel enjoyed traveling to different places and meeting the people. He said that Baumholder was his favorite duty station and that he enjoyed his time in the military.
Returning to civilian life, Buck Sergeant McDaniel worked at a hardware store in Atoka. Later, he was employed by Roberson Steel in Oklahoma. City, until he sustained an injury to his left hand. He then enjoyed a successful career as a truck driver before becoming a shuttle driver for Choctaw Casino.
He married Veronica R. McDaniel in 1973. They have one daughter, Jennifer, and three grandchildren. McDaniel enjoys his time socializing with family and friends.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma holds our Veterans in the highest esteem and appreciates their sacrifices and contributions to preserve our freedoms and the way of life we hold dear.