Labor-Emmert is March Veteran of the Month

Deann Labor-Emmert of District 6 is Choctaw Nation’s Veteran of the Month. Labor-Emmert was born in McAlester, Okla., and lived the first five years of her life at Degnan before moving to Panola. She graduated from Panola High School in 1978 and joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1987 to afford a better life for herself and her children. She was sent to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for basic training.

Sgt. Labor-Emmert helped set up the Thunderbird Youth Academy in 1993 and became a recruiter in 2000 in the McAlester area. She moved to the maintenance shop at Ft. Sill in 2006 before retiring in 2009. She was one of few women accepted into the Order of Saint Maurice. The National Infantry awards the Order of Saint Maurice to recognize significant contributions from infantrymen, infantry supporters, and spouses.

Sgt. Labor-Emmert follows a long history of military family members including her father and his five brothers. Her husband Brian Emmert is also a veteran. She has three children Christi Hall, Cody Gibbs, and Chance Gibbs, three grandchildren Brenton, Emerson, and Zelda, and another grandchild on the way.

The Choctaw Nation 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.