PASSAGES
Kraxberger Pinned Command
Sergeant Major
On Sept. 9, Denise Kraxberger made
history as she became the first .female
command sergeant major in the Oregon
Army National Guard. She is the daughter
of Everett and Mary Jean Downey
(deceased) of Oregon City, and
granddaughter of Margaret Harney
Downey (deceased).
Maj. Gen. Alexander Burgin, the
adjutant general, and Kraxberger’s
husband, Don, pinned her in front of a large
audience of family, friends, and co-workers
at the Army Aviation Facility in Salem. She
now holds the position of command
sergeant major for the 641st Medical
Battalion in Salem, Ore.
Kraxberger originally joined the
Oregon Army National Guard in November
1974. Her reason for enlisting: “My Mom
made me do it!” She had the choice of going
to college or joining the National Guard.
Since she wasn’t ready to return to school
yet, just having graduated from high school
that year, she chose the National Guard for
a three-year enlistment. Now, 26 years later,
she has made history. Her career has taken
her from recruiting to military pay to
personnel, and the list goes on.
Being married for 23 years with two
children is a challenge for any soldier and
Happy Birthday, Natasha LaDawn.
I love you very much. Thank you for
everything that you have done for me
throughout the years. You’re the best friend
that I have ever had. I love you, cuz.
Felicia Ann
Merry Christmas Dad, Gail, and Eddie.
I love you and miss you lots.
Selina
Happy Belated Birthday to Cousin
Roberta Patten in Alaska on Nov. 12.
Selina and Scott
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
to my family and friends. May you enter the
new year safely.
Hugs and kisses, Wendi Schamp
Season’s Greetings to all, especially
the family who knows who they are. We miss
you and haven’t forgotten you.
Love, Sarah Jean Sjaastad and Nancy
Dewane
Kraxberger remembers the worst times for
her family and herself. Her son, DJ, was just
a baby when she left for a school for five
weeks. Another time was when she left for
annual training and her daughter, Devon,
broke out with chicken pox. She thanks her
family and in-laws for their support during
these times. DJ is now 15 and a sophomore
at McNary High School, and Devon is 19
and a McNary graduate. Both were very
proud to see their mother honored by
her peers.
“I’m still here because I enjoy working
with and helping soldiers. The Guard has
been good to me and taught me a lot. I think
we have our act together, and serve our
country and state well,” Kraxberger said.
Future career goals for Kraxberger include
becoming the first female state command
sergeant major.
Congratulations to Sgt. Maj. Denise
Kraxberger. On Sept. 9,2000, Denise was
promoted to sergeant major. Only three
people hold this title in Oregon; the other
two are men.
Denise is the daughter of Everett W.
(Buck) Downey and Mary Jean Goodell
Downey. She went into the National Guard
right after high school, attending its
six-month school. She came back and went
to work in Salem at the National Guard
Armory. This young sergeant major will retire
in about three years.
I am telling you this because I want
her to know how very proud and honored
this family is to have her in it. I know Mom
smiles down from heaven and says, “I told
you you could do it. I love you.” Denise, it is
an honor to be your big sister and I love
you. We (your father, brothers, and I) are
very proud to say “Way to go Nise. We all
love you, little sister.”
Love, Jolyne
P.S. Belated Happy Birthday in
November; you’re almost as old as me
(ha ha).
Welcome to the family, baby Yolanda
Gheit-Sigh (Blue Jay) Vera-Simmons. Born
on Oct. 11, 2000, she weighed 7 pounds,
4 ounces and was 18-° inches long. Proud
parents are Yolanda Vera-Simmons and
Fernando Vera of Tennessee. Grandparents
are Leonda and Roberto Villetas of Gervais,
Ore., and Caroline Moreno of Mexico.
Yolanda joins brother Fernando and sisters
Yvette and Carolina.
Happy Birthday to Graham; it’s your
20th. We love you even though we don’t see
you a lot!
Love, your other family!
I’d like to take time to say Happy
Birthday to my special grandchildren and
great-grandchildren on their December
birthdays-Tommy, Tiffany, Sydney, Robert
IV, and Bobby Jo. You all are loved.
And in this year 2000 for all my family
- the Hibdons, the Brandts, the Vander
Arks, the Lynchs, the Stuarts, and the
Rilatos clan, happy birthday and happy
anniversary to all of you. You are all loved
and special to me.
And a special, very special, thanks to
Robbie and Lisa Rilatos for baby Tyson,
born on Nov. 12, which would have been
Rob’s and my 48th wedding anniversary.
Thanks Robbie and Lisa.
I want to take this time to thank the
Lord for all the special blessings and
miracles that he has allowed me in my
lifetime. For my precious sons and
daughters and for all my beautiful family that
he has given me. I will always be indebted
to him.
I am a very proud mom, grandma, and
great-grandma, Maxine Rilatos.
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