LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) – Retired SFC Richard Byers, a resident of the Lawton/Fort Sill Veterans Center, rode three miles on his wheelchair from the facility to the 7News station for the second time this week.

Byers told 7News he was able to take a shower after a week without running water before he was told it would be shut off again.

“We are not useless. We served the country. We served it with pride. This place says it’s always here for the vets,” Byers said. “That building over there is good for vets. Well, let’s start doing it, instead of paying lip service, let’s start doing it. We are all human beings.

7News worked to confirm Byers’ information and asked the Department of Veterans Affairs, but was told the water was flowing perfectly without interruption. We then asked if there were any plans to turn off the water in the future and received a press release a few hours later.

The press release specifies that the water will be cut off on Thursday from 8 p.m. for chemical shock treatment as a precautionary measure following the flushing of the system.

Treatment involves ensuring that every node and tap in the system is fully disinfected.

Residents were offered a shower or bath, as it would be another 50 to 60 hours before services would be available, or more specifically around dinner time on Sunday.

Executive Director Jay Bynum said in the release, “In my opinion, the safety and well-being of residents makes this water treatment protocol a ‘must-now’ event at Lawton House.

However, Byers is frustrated with how the facility handled the situation.

“I drew a line in the sand. I’m tired of this Band-Aid stuff,” Byers said. “The $4,573 that each individual has to pay to live there and they’re not holding up their end of the bargain, but they’re keeping the money.”

The water is used by the Flower Mound Road Fire Department for sanitation purposes, including flushing toilets, according to the release, and bottled water is also readily available.

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