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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (March 21, 2008)
Union electricians, contractors come to the aid of family of fallen soldier VANCOUVER — Nearly two dozen members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48 volunteered a Saturday to wire a house being built for the family of a Vancouver soldier killed in Iraq. Jeremiah Johnson, a 2001 grad- uate of Prairie High School, died Jan. 5, 2007 — 10 days after a Humvee he and two other soldiers were riding in crashed into a canal in Baghdad. All three soldiers of the Army’s 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division were killed. Johnson is survived by his wife, Gale, 24, and two children, Isaiah, 6, and Rya, 3. To help the family, longtime friend and homebuilder Steve Staudinger formed a foundation — “Jeremiah’s House — to raise money to build them a home. Local 48 learned of the project and word went out for volunteers. “We probably had 100 guys offer to help,” said Greg Parson. “It’s what we as union members fight for every day, the American Dream of owning your own home,” said Terry Reigle, a Local 48 or- ganizer. Union contractors donated ma- terial and within six hours the 1,700 square-foot-home at 2719 125th Court was completely wired. Estimated cost for a wiring project this size was estimated at $10,000. “This is a hell of a good Satur- day morning for me,” said Danny Gibbs, a veteran and Local 48 member. “We should do this for the families of every soldier who does- n’t come home.” Labor Bowl for MDA April 27 The 19th annual Labor Bowl Chal- lenge to benefit the Muscular Dystro- phy Association (MDA) will be held Sunday, April 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Cascade Lanes, 2700 NE 82nd Ave., Portland. Registration starts at noon. Money raised from pledges and a silent auction helps provide wheel- chairs and braces for youngsters, medical care, research and summer camps. Pledge packets are available at the Northwest Oregon Labor Council or by calling Tor at MDA at 503-223- 3177. For more information, call Kelly Pendell, a member of Letter Carriers Branch 82 and coordinator of the event, at 503-493-5903. (ABOVE LEFT) Jeremiah Johnson with his wife, Gale, and children Isaiah and Rya. Johnson was killed while serving in the Army in Iraq. (BELOW LEFT) Steve Rushing (left) and Danny Gibbs of Capitol Electric help wire home being built for Johnson’s family. The crew of 23 volunteers — 18 journeymen and five apprentices — take a break for a group photo. Rain Forest Boots Made in America! Try a pair on, you’ll like them. Tough boots for the Northwest. AL’S SHOES 5811 SE 82nd, Portland 503-771-2130 Mon-Fri 10-7:30 Sat 10-5:30 Sun 12-6 Michael E. Hardeman, Business Representative Sign & Display Local 510 The bank of local unions brings 50 years of on-the-job labor experience provides complete banking services tailored to the Local leadership guides investments to ensure your money works as hard as you do offers online access to keep multiple accounts easily organized gives each and every local union their due. Invest in you ® Labor Management Trust Services Stephen Heady, Vice President, (503) 450-1270 Louis Nagy, Vice President, (503) 450-1273 Labor Management Deposit Services Diane Williams, Senior Vice President & Manager, (213) 236-5085 John Mendoza, Vice President & Relationship Manager, (415) 705-7112 Visit us at unionbank.com MARCH 21, 2008 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS ©2007 Union Bank of California, N.A. Member FDIC PAGE 5
