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Special edition coverage, inside
See story, page 2
(Obserucr 4 ?
Read back issues of the Portland Observer at www.portlandobserver.com
City oj Roses'
V o lum e X X X X I,
Number 45
Established ¡n 1970
Wednesday
Wednesday • • November
November 9, 9, 2011
2011 Committed
Committed to to Cultural
Cultural Diversity
Diversity •'communityservice
•'community
Advocating for Those Who Served
Veterans
group helps
with benefits
by M indy C ooper
T he P ortland O bserver
The Portland chapter of the National As
sociation of Black Veterans is working dili
gently to help former members of the mi litary.
The group works with the community to end
homelessness, empower low-income and mi
nority veterans and increase the quality of
life for disadvantaged youth.
Founded in 1969 in Wisconsin, the asso
ciation began with a number of African-
American veterans who were having diffi
culty accessing their benefits. “So they
banded together and formed a group,” said
Lt. Coronel Leneld E. Brown, a retired U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers officer and the
founder of the Portland chapter.
“I started this organization to help the
underserved populations in the community
to apply for their benefits with the Veterans
Administration,” Brown said. “When I was
continued
on page 6
photo by M indy C ooper /T he P ortland O bserver
Retired Lt. Col. Leneld E. Brown (second from left) with other local veterans and volunteers of the Portland chapter of the National
Association of Black Veterans. The group helps veterans obtain the benefits they are due after service in the military.
P e o p le P o ll
With troops from Iraq coming home, but a decade o f war still going
strong in Afghanistan, what does Veterans Day mean to you?
“It means we need to
get everyone home
that is in Afghanistan
and then bring peace
and prosperity to this
country. "
“When the vets come
back, there’s going to
be no jobs and few
resources. Where are
they going to go? I t’s
sad. ’’
—Nancy Winter, 63
-R andy Chambers, 56
“I guess we can be
happy. My co-worker
did a tour, and he is
back now, but it’s
only just recently."
“It means freedom
to me, and justice.
I just want all the
soldiers home
already. ’
-T aylor Randolph, 22
-M ich elle Cole, 41
“For anybody that has been to
that monument in Washington
D.C., when you see that wall, it is
mind blowing. I find no honor. I
don’t understand people fighting
fo r things that aren’t necessarily
good fo r the people. ’’
-M alcolm Jackson, 43