The SpokeSman • WedneSday, march 23, 2022 P3
FIRST IN HIS CLASS
Redmond man is
Central Oregon vet
program’s 1st grad
BY GARRETT ANDREWS
For the Spokesman
Outside the Central Ore-
gon Vet Center, Julian Duran
became the first graduate of
Veterans Intervention Strategy,
a novel alternative justice pro-
gram for military veterans in
Deschutes County.
But instead of a diploma,
Amanda Juza, director of the
Central Oregon Vet Cen-
ter, passed Duran a challenge
coin in the palm of her hand
Wednesday morning.
Challenge coins are given by
military commanders to recog-
nize special achievement — a
fact not lost on Duran.
“This started out as a hor-
rible nightmare,” Duran told
a small crowd composed pri-
marily of his support network
for the past year. “I made
some bad choices, and never
in a million years did I think it
would turn out to be like this.”
After a decade of military
service, including overseas de-
ployments, Duran had moved
to Redmond in 2018 but strug-
gled to adapt to civilian life.
Last March, Duran, 34, was
arrested for fighting in a bar in
Redmond, his fourth arrest in-
volving alcohol and violence in
two years.
With three prior convictions
for assault, the bar fight meant
Duran likely would have been
sentenced to at least a year in
prison, according to prosecu-
tor Matthew Nelson, who rep-
resents the Deschutes County
District Attorney’s office at the
intervention program.
Instead, Duran found a path
to recovery.
Duran was raised in Carson
City, Nevada, and went as far
as eighth grade in school.
In 2007, at 18, he married
his childhood sweetheart and
joined the U.S. Air Force. He
served six years active duty,
specializing as an F-15 crew
chief. Always mechanically
dean Guernsey/The Bulletin
Julian Duran is congratulated by Amanda Juza, director of the Central
Oregon Vet Center, left, as his girlfriend, Melanie Coffman, looks on
during a graduation ceremony Wednesday in Bend.
inclined, he then worked as
a contractor for two years for
NASA, before returning to the
military as a contractor for the
Department of Defense. He
supported special operations
as a flying crew chief, traveling
to conflicts in Syria and Africa.
This role included support
work for private military com-
pany Blackwater and Sierra
Nevada Corp.
“We went on a lot of weird
missions, and I was gone a lot,”
he said.
Civilian life challenged him.
“No meals provided. No
scheduled downtime. It was
just really different,” he said. “It
was just complete disarray.”
He had nightmares, too: “It
was a lot of chaos.”
His first wife left Redmond
for Texas with their kids. He
turned to drinking and found
himself in bars night after
night. He had no family in
town, no human connections.
And “trauma doesn’t mix well
with alcohol.”
In the military, guys would
go out at night in packs, he
said. But, as a civilian, “when
another man starts acting
drunk or lippy toward you,
you don’t have all your buddies
there pulling you away,” Du-
ran said.
“I think that (fighting) was
kind of typical in the military.
It wasn’t like that big a deal,” he
said. “But in the civilian sector,
it’s totally unreasonable.”
Duran’s attorney, Casey Bax-
ter, suggested he consider a
new program offered by the
district attorney’s office — Vet-
erans Intervention Strategy.
The program involves the dis-
trict attorney’s office, local de-
fense attorneys and the Central
Oregon Vet Center.
For years in Deschutes
County, limited resources pre-
vented the creation of a treat-
ment court for veterans, Juza
said. The intervention program
is an attempt to get around that
by effectively conducting vet
court proceedings outside of a
courtroom.
There are currently eight
program participants, and the
program hopes to hold grad-
uation ceremonies every third
Wednesday of the month.
To Duran, the program
sounded better than prison.
“I thought it was going to be
like another government pro-
gram, but it wound up being a
really interesting adventure,” he
said. “I wound up digging into
some things, like PTSD and
childhood trauma, that were
causing me to not be func-
tional in society.”
He appreciated that the pro-
gram had formal expectations
clearly spelled out for him. He
FFA
Continued from P1
Two years ago, Oregon FFA
members were preparing for
the annual state convention
when the first COVID-19 re-
strictions were announced. All
public gatherings were banned
to prevent the spread of the vi-
rus, forcing the cancellation of
the convention a week before it
was scheduled to begin.
Oregon FFA leaders moved
quickly to pivot to a virtual
convention in 2020, then again
in 2021. While not ideal, the
format still allowed members
to compete in events, attend
workshops and elect new of-
ficers.
Kendall Castrow, a senior at
Redmond High School, said
she is excited to be coming out
of the pandemic and reuniting
with her fellow FFA members
from across the state.
“I feel like there’s been a lot
of built-up energy,” Castrow
said. “Everybody gets to kind
of release that energy and just
Citizen
Continued from P1
“I was bored after I retired and
didn’t want to stay that way.”
The “Business of the Year”
award went to AccuAir Heat-
ing and Cooling and its own-
ers Dave and Kristen Sale. The
SCP Redmond Hotel won “New
Business of the Year,” which
was accepted by hotel general
manager Tobias Colvin. The
customer service award went
to Nichole Meagher of Willow
Wild, while the community
impact award went to Roxia
Thornton Todoroff, who retired
after a long career at the De-
schutes County Fair and Expo
Center. Teri Jansen was named
“Ambassador of the Year.”
The 38th Annual Redmond
Chamber of Commerce &
CVB banquet took place Fri-
day, March 11 at Eagle Crest
Convention Center. Nomina-
tions for each category were
accepted throughout Decem-
ber 2021.
ryan Brennecke/The Bulletin
Students dance and sing March 17 before the opening session of the Or-
egon FFA State Convention at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center.
be themselves.”
Bush, the Tillamook FFA
advisor, said this year was his
15th state convention as both
a teacher and student. It was at
here, Bush said, that he met his
best friend and the future best
man at his wedding. It was also
here that he decided he wanted
to become an agriculture
teacher in his hometown.
“The kids learn stuff here
they can take home,” Bush said.
“Perhaps most importantly,
they learn who they are.”
Gary Walls, a senior from
Ione, met Saturday morning
with Corrina Smith and Da-
kota Anderson, both sopho-
mores from Elgin. Walls, who
joined FFA in seventh grade,
had just earned his State De-
gree, the highest award a state
FFA association can bestow on
its members.
The friends said they re-
member feeling disappointed
when the state convention was
Besides the night’s honorees,
attendees enjoyed the tradi-
tional “mad dash” to the in-
dividually decorated tables in
anticipation of the giveaways
and prizes. Multiple local busi-
nesses sponsor tables each year,
which they decorate with a
theme complemented by give-
aways, games and prizes.
Get great
service &
great rates.
Joe A Lochner Ins Acy Inc
Joe A Lochner, Agent
www.joelochner.com
Redmond, OR 97756
Bus: 541-548-6023
was to stay off drugs and alco-
hol and participate in mental
health treatment.
He took part in eye move-
ment desensitization and re-
processing therapy to treat
his unaddressed post-trau-
matic stress disorder. He and
his counselor focused on his
dreams and that helped him
develop a new, healthier way of
thinking
His parole and probation of-
ficer, Nicole Taylor, remembers
Duran was “all over the place”
when she met him.
“It wasn’t bad. He had all
these plans he wanted to tell
me about. It just seems like he
was always looking for that af-
firmation,” she said.
About six months after en-
tering the intervention pro-
gram, he “calmed down” con-
siderably, Taylor said.
Duran thinks he was suc-
cessful because fellow veterans
in the program met him at his
level.
His mentor, Roger Riolo,
said it was because of some-
thing else: “He was ready.”
To close the graduation cer-
emony, Riolo, a retired Air
Force veteran, read aloud the
Marc Kelly Smith poem, “Pull
the next one up.”
“When you get to the top of
the mountain,
pull the next one up.
Then there will be two of you
Roped together at the waist,
Tired and proud, knowing the
mountain,
Knowing the human force it
took
to bring you both there.”
Duran, a father of three
young children, now dates a
preschool teacher with two
children of her own.
He’s an aircraft maintenance
manager for AI Systems Inc. at
Redmond Airport.
He’s completed the 12 steps
of Alcoholics Anonymous and
is now a sponsor. He wants the
next phase of his life to involve
helping others.
“There are lots of guys who
are still in that bar.”
e
Reporter: 541-383-0325,
gandrews@bendbulletin.com
canceled in 2020. Now it was
time to celebrate.
“You can feel all the positiv-
ity and great emotions in-per-
son,” Walls said.
“I’m really a people person,”
Anderson added. “I like to
meet new people.”
Phil Ward, Oregon FFA
CEO, said this year they
eclipsed 14,000 total members
statewide — the most in the
state organization’s history.
For the majority of these
students, Ward said this was
their first in-person state con-
vention.
“They’re seeing it for the first
time with fresh eyes,” he said.
“It’s been fun to watch.”
Though Ward said he is
proud of Oregon FFA for how
it has responded to the pan-
demic, there is simply no sub-
stitute for being together in
person.
“It just reminds me of what
FFA is all about,” he said. “This
is an organization that builds
potential in young people.”
Calendar
Continued from P1
High Desert Stampede: a fast-
paced, entertaining rodeo event
that draws a wide variety of spec-
tators; 7 p.m.; $20-$30; deschutes
county Fair & expo center, 3800
SW airport Way, redmond; expo.
deschutes.org or 541-548-2711.
Olivia Awbrey Band: The indie
singer, songwriter will perform;
8-10 p.m.; $8; high desert music
hall, 818 SW Forest ave., red-
mond; highdesertmusichall.com
or 541-527-1387.
Friday 3/25
Oceanography: The oak-
land-based singer, songwriter,
and multi-instrumentalist will
perform; 8 p.m.; $5 advanced, $10
at door; high desert music hall,
818 SW Forest ave., redmond;
highdesertmusichall.com or 541-
527-1387.
Countryfied: The country
rock based band will perform;
7-10 p.m.; $20; General duffy’s
Waterhole, 404 SW Forest ave.,
redmond; facebook.com/Gener-
alduffys or 541-527-4345.
The Sometimes Island & Spe-
cial Guests: The indie pop band
will perform; 8 p.m.; $5; high des-
ert music hall, 818 SW Forest ave.,
redmond; highdesertmusichall.
com or 541-527-1387.
Sunday 3/27
Central Oregon Ag Show:
Something for everyone from
Farmers, ranchers of all opera-
tion sizes and equine enthusiasts;
9 a.m.-3 p.m.; free; deschutes
county Fair & expo center, 3800
SW airport Way, redmond; north-
westagshow.com or 541-548-2711.
Sunday Brunch and Kara-
oke: Join for brunch and kara-
oke; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; free; General
duffy’s Watering hole, 404 SW
Forest ave., redmond; facebook.
com/Generalduffys or 541-527-
4345.
Coffee Clatter — Toastmasters:
Join for a morning of business
networking and check out what’s
new with Toastmasters; 8:30-
9:30 a.m.; free; redmond Grange,
707 SW kalama ave., redmond;
visitredmondoregon.com or 541-
480-4495.
Cantastic Pay It Forward Barrel
Race: The barrel race will be held;
12 p.m.; deschutes county Fair
& expo center, 3800 SW airport
Way, redmond; expo.deschutes.
org or 541-548-2711.
Central Oregon Comedy Scene
presents Standup Comedy:
Local comedians will perform;
7-10 p.m.; $15-$20; General duffy’s
Watering hole, 404 SW Forest
ave., redmond; facebook.com/
Generalduffys or 541-527-4345.
Comedy Night: comedians cody
michael, carl click, dillon ko-
lar, and katy Ipock will perform;
7 p.m.; $20; porter Brewing co.,
611 ne Jackpine ct #2, redmond;
facebook.com/porterbrewingco
or 541-504-7959.
High Desert Stampede: a fast-
paced, entertaining rodeo event
that draws a wide variety of spec-
tators; 7 p.m.; $20-$30; deschutes
county Fair & expo center, 3800
SW airport Way, redmond; expo.
deschutes.org or 541-548-2711.
Monday 3/28
Saturday 3/26
Central Oregon Ag Show:
Something for everyone from
farmers, ranchers of all operation
sizes and equine enthusiasts;
9 a.m.-5 p.m.; free; deschutes
county Fair & expo center, 3800
SW airport Way, redmond;
northwestagshow.com or 541-
548-2711.
Growing Vegetables in Cen-
tral Oregon: Join the central
oregon chapter of oSU master
Gardeners for a free one-hour,
on-demand video class and 2
live Zoom Q&a sessions on vege-
table gardening; 10-11 a.m.; free;
oSU extension Service, online;
extension.oregonstate.edu or
541-548-6088.
Live in the Tasting Room — The
Substitutes: The local self-pro-
claimed rock and roll band will
perform; 5-8 p.m.; $15 adults,
children 12 and under free; Faith,
hope and charity Vineyards,
70450 nW Lower Valley drive,
Terrebonne; faithhopeandcharit-
yevents.com or 541-526-5075.
High Desert Stampede: a fast-
paced, entertaining rodeo event
that draws a wide variety of spec-
tators; 7 p.m.; $20-$30; deschutes
county Fair & expo center, 3800
SW airport Way, redmond; expo.
deschutes.org or 541-548-2711.
Growing Vegetables in Central
Oregon: Join the central oregon
chapter of oSU master Gardeners
for a free one-hour, on-demand
video class and 2 live Zoom Q&a
sessions on vegetable gardening;
7-8 p.m.; free; oSU extension Ser-
vice, online; extension.oregon-
state.edu or 541-548-6088.
Tuesday 3/29
Writers Writing — Quiet Writ-
ing Time: enjoy the focus of a
quiet space with the benefit of
others’ company; 10:30 a.m.-
12:30 p.m.; free; redmond public
Library, 827 SW deschutes ave.,
redmond; deschuteslibrary.org or
541-312-1050.
Ladies of the Green Kick-off
Brunch: prospective lady golf-
ers and returning members are
invited to attend this “Get ac-
quainted Brunch” to hear the fun
things the golf group has planned
for the 2022 golf season; 11 a.m.;
free call to rSVp; The redmond
Grange hall, 707 SW kalama ave.,
redmond
Virtual City Council Workshop:
a regular meeting will be held;
6-8 p.m.; free; redmond city hall,
online; redmondoregon.gov or
541-923-7710.
Trivia Tuesday: Go with a team
or team up there to play genuine
UkB Trivia live and possibly win
gift certificates; 6:30-8:30 p.m.;
free; Initiative Brewing, 424 nW
Fifth St., redmond; facebook.
com/InitiativeBrew or 541-527-
4380.