When you walk into Norman’s American Legion Post #88, chances are that one of the first things you’ll encounter is a welcoming smile from Tammie Richard.
For four years, Tammie has been an accredited volunteer veterans service officer for the Post, where she helps her fellow vets navigate the tricky federal system to obtain their deserved benefits. She herself spent eight years in the service, from 1986 to 1994.
After graduating from Patricia Stevens Career College in St. Louis with a certification in hotel management and accounting, followed by a brief career in the hotel industry, Tammie decided to enter the U.S. Navy at age 19. Her decision was influenced by two uncles who served in the Navy, as well as stories about her disabled Army veteran father, who died when she was only 4.
While extremely meaningful, her time in the service was only the beginning. You name it, odds are Tammie has done it, from the employment perspective.
She’s held positions ranging from hotel management to office manager for Norman Christian Academy and office manager assistant with Bentley Turf Farms, plus stints as an administrative assistant, office accountant, babysitter and even a flooring salesperson. Her career also included 12 years as the purchasing/logistics coordinator for Top of the World, a ball cap production company in Norman.
Now a jewelry designer and photographer, Tammie is the proprietor of Ophelia Lamplighter Arts, selling her gorgeous creations through Facebook, local consignment shops, the Norman Farmer’s Market and metro area flea markets. (See Ophelia Lamplighter Arts and BathBombs by Ophelia on FB.)
Her latest venture came about after her husband retired and began making gun slings, created from cords and resembling macrame.
“I was looking for new things to do, so I started helping him,” she said. “Then I got the idea to start doing bracelets with charms, and it grew from there. Now I do all sorts of things; it’s very relaxing for me.”
Originally from Illinois, after joining the Navy Tammie ended up overseas, where she was assigned first to the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and later to the Naval Air Station Agana, both in Guam. Later she would transfer to Naval Air Station Point Mugu, near Oxnard, California.
Initially, Tammie was unrated for her first two years and spent her time working in Guam’s jungles, clearing roads and beaches.
It was at that point that the position of mess management specialist first opened to female service members, and she was quick to take advantage.
“Once I was finally rated as an MS, I worked in the barracks and galleys, and I fed many sailors, marines, military members and VIPs,” she said.
“During this time, I always put my best foot forward and always made the best of each day and hour I served. I loved the people I served with, and I am still in contact with them today. Technically they’re friends, but really, they are family.”
In all, Tammie spent eight years in the Navy, stationed in Guam and two other locations. During that time, she achieved the rank of MS2, while earning a National Defense Service medal, two Good Conduct medals and an Overseas Service ribbon.
It was also in Guam that she met her husband of 31 years, aviation structural mechanic Ty Richard. The two married and served together. Once Tammie left the Navy, she accompanied him to several postings, the last of which was Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. They never anticipated that the state would become their permanent home after his retirement.
“We honestly had no idea what Oklahoma was going to be like,” she said. “But we love the place, and the people here are wonderful—so friendly, helpful and down to earth.”
Originally a single mom to her daughter, Amanda, Tammie and Ty together have two additional children: son T.J. (who served in the U.S. Navy as a machinist’s mate 1st class) and daughter Victoria. They spend a lot of time with their family, including grandchildren Aria and Gabriel, who, Tammie said, “love spending time doing beads with Nana!”
She and Ty also are talented dancers—even winning KOMA radio station’s ’80s dance contest at Riverwind Casino. They regularly indulge their musical side together, with Tammie playing piano and Ty the trumpet.
Much of her time and energy, however, remains dedicated to her fellow veterans through her volunteer work as a VSO.
“Our post has been able to obtain more than $14 million in deserved benefits to the veterans we’ve helped over the past three years,” she said.
“Being a member of the American Legion lets me meet people and hear their stories and I am honored to be able to try and help them.”
